Juan Castillo has been around the NFL for a long time. Going all the way back to the 1990s. He’s coached a lot of offensive linemen over that span, ranging from practice squad backups to All-Pros. So when the Chicago Bears offensive line coach offers his opinion on somebody, you can pretty much take it to the bank. One guy he seems to be more and more enamored with in recent weeks is second-year blocker Alex Bars.
The former undrafted free agent made his name at Notre Dame. Most believe he would’ve been drafted in 2019 but a poorly-timed knee injury ruined those hopes. Chicago signed him and then managed to keep him when the New England Patriots tried to swipe him off their practice squad. As injuries mounted on the offensive line this year, Bars was elevated into the starting lineup.
It appears he’s made quite an impression.
Castillo first really took notice of the kid in the game against the Tennessee Titans. With Cody Whitehair out with COVID-19 and Sam Mustipher nursing a knee injury, the team had nobody to play center. So they asked Bars, who’d never played the position before in his life if he’d be willing to try it. He agreed. The 60-year old coach was beyond impressed with how he handled the job.
That admiration seems to have only grown in the following weeks. Bars got the start again at home against the Minnesota Vikings. While the right side of the offensive line was suffering constant breakdowns, it appeared the left side held its own quite well where he manned left guard. Castillo explained to Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune what really stood out to him about that performance.
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“The biggest thing that I can say about Alex is, and I think it’s a compliment, I know two guys in the last two places I have been that played with passion: Richie Incognito and Marshal Yanda,” Castillo said. “Alex is still young. What Alex did (in Week 10 versus the Vikings) is he played with passion. He played with heart.”
Alex Bars being compared to Pro Bowlers isn’t bad
For most of this season, it’s been felt one thing the Bears offensive line is missing are tone-setters. Guys who bring energy and fire. They had one in Kyle Long for years but injuries eventually knocked him out of the league. Bars is one of those guys. He loves to get after it, playing with a nasty streak and wishing to impose his will on others.
By the sound of things, his issue isn’t drive or talent. It’s polish. Playing with proper fundamentals play after play. That takes time to learn. Especially when a guy hasn’t settled into one position. Alex Bars went from left guard to center and back to left guard. He’s gaining valuable experience along the way and that should only serve him well down the line.
The big question is whether the Bears grant him further opportunities.
Castillo isn’t the only one to insist Bars has the ability to start in the NFL. Long himself said so. All he needs is a chance. James Daniels will take over left guard when he returns next season. So would a shift to right guard be possible? Switching positions is something Bars is used to since his college days. With Germain Ifedi being a free agent, this would make some sense. Then again if the coaching staff is purged as many expect, it’ll be up to the next regime.