The Chicago Bears offensive line was a huge question mark coming into 2020. Thus far it’s safe to say few answers have been found. The unit got off to a good start through the first three weeks but really struggled in their past two games against Indianapolis and Tampa Bay. Pass protection was spotty at best but the bigger disappointment was the running game. Just 63 yards combined on the ground. If that weren’t bad enough, they also lost starting guard James Daniels to a pec injury, forcing Alex Bars into the lineup.
The former undrafted free agent quickly got his “Welcome to the NFL” moment as Buccaneers defensive tackle Vita Vea worked him over on his first drive. After that though the second-year man seemed to settle down and played decent the rest of the way. The big question is do the Bears give him more time to prove he can start or do they go hunting for veteran help?
Given the investment they made to sign and then keep him last year, it’s likely they will try the former first. Bars has potential. Most agree he would’ve been drafted if not for an untimely knee injury his final year at Notre Dame. What could he do for the Bears?
Be a big asset in the running game according to draft experts.
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“What pops about Bars’ film is how powerful he is. He blocks with a finisher’s mentality, executing with low pads, violent hands and aggressive leg drive. He features a stout anchor in pass protection and can be lethal on the move…Bars has the upside to start at offensive guard in the NFL once he’s healthy.”
Alex Bars will get a prime opportunity to prove this soon
The Bears have a welcome long layoff until their next game. That will take place October 18th against the Carolina Panthers. While a decent team, they have a track record of struggling to stop the run. Carolina ranks a distant 21st in the NFL in that regard. This will provide Bars a perfect chance to showcase the hallmark of what made him a preferred target for the Bears.
There were flashes of it against Tampa Bay. The solid mobility. The finisher mentality. They just weren’t in a position to run it much by the time he entered the game. That figures to change against the Panthers. David Montgomery is due for a big game and the Bears have made it clear they want to get him re-established.
If Bars can play a big role in that happening? That job figures to stay his the rest of the year.