When the Chicago Bears selected James Daniels in the 2nd round of the 2018 draft, they had a clear plan for him. Or at least it seemed that way at the time. They’d give him a chance to get his feet wet at guard as a rookie before moving him to his natural spot at center. Everything went according to plan by the start of 2019 when the switch was made. Unfortunately, things started getting difficult after that.
Daniels struggled at center, suffering from communication issues. After eight games and the line not functioning well enough, the coaches decided to shift him back to left guard. Things settled down after that. Daniels came into 2020 in the best shape of his career and started hot. He was playing his best football early that season. Then he tore a pectoral muscle and was lost for the year. Another brutal setback.
By the time he returned? Things had changed yet again.
The Bears had moved Cody Whitehair to left guard, allowing Sam Mustipher to step in at center. This stabilized the offensive line during a rough period. Enough to where the team didn’t want to mess with it. So that left an obvious question. What do they do with Daniels? The answer was simple. They plugged him in at right guard. That marked the third offensive line position he’d play since the start of 2019.
Considering 2021 was a contract year for him, the timing felt bad. He was playing for a big-money extension. Having to learn a new position while also returning from a season-ending injury? That is tough. After 11 games, the only thing to say is the 24-year old has risen to the challenge. After allowing 10 pressures on the quarterback in his first three games, Daniels has allowed nine in the subsequent eight. His improvement cannot be overstated.
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Rams were daring the Bears to run the entire game. Light box here and Chicago makes them pay. James Daniels gets a step on Donald and sticks in front of him. Solid job. Burst and vision by Monty makes this a long run. pic.twitter.com/pD7fXTJCoq
— Brandon Robinson (@BRobNFL) September 14, 2021
Can I interest you in Bears guard James Daniels giving this Raiders linebacker a full-on Rock Bottom? pic.twitter.com/7mvcyCLxG7
— Robert Mays (@robertmays) October 11, 2021
James Daniels is providing clarity for the Bears
The organization has a ton of in-house free agents to sort through this coming offseason. They will have to know which players they want to extend and which they should let go. It is already a foregone conclusion that Roquan Smith will get priority focus for an extension after his outstanding season to this point. Now it appears the Bears know who else they will want to lock up before free agency begins next March.
Considering the importance of building around Justin Fields moving forward, securing James Daniels to a long-term deal seems logical. Especially given the uncertainty at the tackle position. So what about the money? It is a safe bet that his representation will seek something north of $10 million per year. A similar tier to Denver Broncos right guard Graham Glasgow.
If Daniels keeps playing like this? It will be well worth it.
Especially with the salary cap expected to blow up by the start of 2023. This kid should be a fixture on the Bears offensive line for years to come. One of the few offensive players Ryan Pace has ever drafted that reaches a second contract with the team. It is only unfortunate that Allen Robinson might not join him with such a cash-in.
