Head coach Matt Eberflus insisted after the Thursday night loss to Washington that the Chicago Bears would do a serious evaluation of the roster. They needed to find out what adjustments they could make to fix some of the issues plaguing them during this three-game losing streak. That will include potential lineup changes. While he refused to offer details, some felt it was the clearer indication somebody on the offensive side of the ball was getting benched.
David Kaplan of NBC Sports Chicago offered details on who that is likely to be. He has it on good authority that the Bears are making a change to their offensive line. While the tackles will remain the same, two switches will happen on the interior. Veteran Michael Schofield will take over at left guard while Lucas Patrick finally assumes the center spot he was signed to play in March. That means Sam Mustipher is on the bench.
Here is what I am hearing the #Bears offensive line will look like when they start the game Monday night against the #Patriots in New England. LT: Jones LG Schofield C Patrick RG Jenkins RT Borom. Mustipher will be a backup at Guard and Center. #TakeThat
— David Kaplan (@thekapman) October 21, 2022
The Chicago Bears had to make that call.
Facts are facts. For all the toughness and intelligence Mustipher brought to the table, he was so outclassed over the past three games. Dexter Lawrence ate him for lunch in New York, and then Washington bullied him all night as well. When the middle of the offensive line can’t hold up, throwing the ball almost impossible. Patrick hasn’t been great either, but he was signed to play center, not guard. It stands to reason he should be better in the middle.
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Schofield was the obvious call for left guard. He has loads of experience at the position and should be able to be at least serviceable until Cody Whitehair returns in a week or two from his knee injury. It is the most logical lineup the Chicago Bears could field with the personnel available. Hopefully, it will do because Justin Fields can’t keep taking the punishment he was for the past month. The first test will be a steep one in New England.
