The Chicago Bears are moving their focus towards the 2020 offseason. It is there that GM Ryan Pace and head coach Matt Nagy must begin the major task of finding out what went so wrong in 2019. Most would agree the simplest answer is the offense was terrible. It ranked near the bottom of the NFL in almost every category including points (30th) and rushing (28th). It’s hard to win football games like that. The question becomes how do they fix it?
Many will point at the quarterback position where Mitch Trubisky regressed in a big way. Others will simply nod towards the tight end spot and it’s barely 300 yards of offense in 15 games and try to suppress gag reflexes. Both would have strong arguments. However, the common saying in football is it all starts up front. Nobody will argue that the offensive line has disappointed this season too.
Injuries struck a number of areas including Kyle Long (hip) and Bobby Massie (high ankle sprain). In addition, others like Charles Leno Jr. and James Daniels haven’t had their best seasons. This opens up the possibility of changes coming. NFL draft specialist and insider Luke Easterling of The Draft Wire believes Pace won’t waste any time when the Bears go on the clock in the 2nd round next April.
49. Chicago Bears | Austin Jackson | OT | USC
50. Chicago Bears (from OAK) | Jaylon Johnson | CB | Utah
Chicago Bears have not drafted an OT high since 2011
That would mark a significant change for the Bears. This organization has not drafted an offensive tackle in the first two rounds dating all the way back to 2011 when they selected Gabe Carimi out of Wisconsin. In that time they made do with later round picks and free agents. So would Jackson make for good competition? Fellow expert Benjamin Solak of the Draft Network had this to say.
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“Looks the part. Length should pace the position at the Combine and has good functional mass through the trunk and into the lower half…Long stride with balanced weight and active knees makes for a sound technical kick-slide off of which you can build a nice pass protection profile…Has some giddy-up to him on screens and as a puller into space; will hustle to help open-field ball-carriers when working into the second level. Impressive recovery ability given brisk footwork and length — admirable post foot discipline on an island to respond to secondary interior counters.”
If the Bears were to do this, Jackson would be the first offensive lineman drafted by them out of USC since Keith Van Horne way back in 1981. That choice worked out pretty well for them. It’s clear the kid is big, strong, and athletic. There are concerns about his fundamentals and overall blocking discipline though. Hence why he falls to the 2nd round. It would be on the shoulders of offensive line coach Harry Hiestand to shape him up.
