There are several roster battles set to unfold for the Chicago Bears once training camp begins on July 27th. All the wide receivers will duke it out for the three spots behind D.J. Moore, Darnell Mooney, and Chase Claypool. Roschon Johnson will challenge D’Onta Foreman for the #2 running back spot behind Khalil Herbert. Trevis Gipson and Dominique Robinson hope to grab the starting defensive end position opposite DeMarcus Walker. Lastly, Jack Sanborn hopes to hold off rookie Noah Sewell for the starting SAM linebacker job. It will be an eventful summer.
However, one battle isn’t getting as much attention as it should. That is the swing tackle. For those unfamiliar with the terms, a swing tackle is the primary backup offensive tackle. These guys are required to step in on either the right or left sides if a starter goes down. Given the physical nature of that position, it’s rare to see both tackles make it through a full season without missing at least one game. So that third guy matters a lot. This could be a problem for the Bears, considering who their options are.
The Chicago Bears may need to consider more competition.
Right now, Larry Borom and Alex Leatherwood are the primary contenders for that swing spot. Kellen Diesch and Gary Houy are the only other viable names. Diesch has never played a snap in the league, and Houy is an undrafted rookie. Borom is the favorite of this group. He’s a decent pass protector when not constantly left on an island and is average as a run blocker. Leatherwood often struggled during his brief appearances last season. It feels like a situation where GM Ryan Poles should consider some veteran experience.
There are some interesting options out there. Taylor Lewan, George Fant, Eric Fisher, and Ja’Wuan James are all names still available that stand out. Lewan likely may be holding out for a starting job, but the others would probably be open to backup work. None of them figure to cost the Chicago Bears much too. This likely will come down to how Borom, Leatherwood, and the others look in the first few training camp practices. If the coaches sense they have a depth problem, a move will be made.
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Given this team’s history, expecting Braxton Jones and Darnell Wright to stay healthy all year is not advisable.
