People had to know a change was coming for the Chicago Bears offensive line at some point. A variety of reasons tipped that off. For starters, they have a new coaching staff in place. One that will feature an almost totally different scheme with concepts installed by head coach Matt Nagy and offensive coordinator Mark Helfrich. Their requirements for line play likely different from John Fox and Dowell Loggains.
The other is the simple fact the line didn’t play well enough in 2017. Injuries were prevalent across most of the positions. They gave up 39 sacks too. Granted having to protect a statue in Mike Glennon and a rookie Mitch Trubisky was tough. Even so the group wasn’t as good as they were in 2016. Tweaks must be expected.
The question is where will they come. Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune gets a sense that it will begin along the interior at the center and guard positions. Not only could there be replacements but also shifting to new positions as well.
Chicago Bears offensive line may have a new center
One player who was a slight disappointment this season was center Cody Whitehair. After a tremendous rookie season, he seemed to falter in 2017. While his blocking was fine he had a higher degree of penalties and also a persistent problem snapping the football. It’s led to a belief that it might be better for him to shift to guard, especially if aging veteran Josh Sitton is released.
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“The Bears wouldn’t necessarily need to replace Sitton with a guard if they choose to move on. There’s an internal debate over whether Cody Whitehair is better at center or guard and that could play a factor. The team could slide Whitehair to left guard and fill the vacancy by signing a center or drafting one.”
Sitton is in the last year of his contract and would cost $8.5 million in cap space for 2018. The Bears aren’t hurting for cash but it’s certainly something they’ll consider. Whitehair has experienced at guard. He’s played well at it when given opportunities. It may not end there though. Some down at the Senior Bowl think GM Ryan Pace has designs on infusing the group with more young talent early in the draft.
“During a three-block walk late Tuesday night, a college scout who has studied Alabama extensively, discussed the pluses of Crimson Tide wide receiver Calvin Ridley.
He compared Ridley favorably to the Raiders’ Amari Cooper, a former Alabama star, and reminded me the program hasn’t had a quarterback who is an asset for wide receivers. Essentially, he said there’s nothing to not like about Ridley.
The scout stopped in front of his hotel and said, “I get why you’re asking me about Calvin but I think the Bears will draft a lineman.”
2018 class strong at all three line positions
This actually would make some sense. Initial impressions vary but there is an indication the upcoming draft class has fairly strong talent at tackle, guard, and center. As many as 14 names are currently projected to go in the first or second rounds this April. That could even go higher depending on how the Senior Bowl and scouting combine go. Some key names will definitely be in play for Chicago at the #8 overall pick.
Notre Dame guard Quenton Nelson, who has connections to Bears offensive line coach Harry Hiestand, is considered by many to be the best overall prospect in the draft. Offensive tackles Orlando Brown, Mike McGlinchey and Connor Williams also could be in the running given their physical abilities and success in college.
In the second round, the Bears may have a shot at two or three top-notch centers like James Daniels of Iowa or Billy Price of Ohio State. Much of how this plays out depends on where other teams go with their picks. Either way, it’s hard to ignore the obvious signs. The Bears offensive line could look a lot different by this summer.
