You never want to say a player’s starting job is in jeopardy less than a month into the season. Unfortunately, Garrett Bradbury has put himself in this situation. The Chicago Bears traded a 5th round pick for the veteran center in March. This came after Drew Dalman, their Pro Bowl signing from the year prior, elected to retire at age 27. Bradbury felt like a safe bet. He’s been starting for years, playing on some really good teams. He was familiar with the Bears’ wide-zone run scheme. They didn’t need him to be great. Just efficient.
Unfortunately, Bradbury hasn’t been providing them with that. Through two games, he has committed 5 penalties. That is already one more than Dalman had all of last season. If that weren’t enough, his pass protection has also been hit-and-miss, allowing 3 pressures against Minnesota last week. Some have already started calling for rookie Logan Jones, the Bears’ 2nd round pick. Head coach Ben Johnson hasn’t entertained that idea. Is it possible another clunker against Philadelphia changes his mind?
Garrett Bradbury is facing his toughest test yet.
Philadelphia fields arguably the best trio of defensive tackles in the NFL with Jordan Davis, Jalen Carter, and Moro Ojomo. Davis is a load to move at nose tackle, while Carter and Ojomo can be deadly interior pass rushers when the motors are hot. Go back to last season and watch what they did to the Buffalo Bills. Josh Allen was sacked 5 times and only managed 12 points. That is what the Bears are up against. This is not a front you can take lightly. That is particularly true in passing situations.
We already know Garrett Bradbury is vulnerable against teams with size up the middle. In two games against Tampa Bay (Vita Vea) and Seattle (Leonard Williams), he allowed 12 pressures and a sack. The worst thing the Bears could do in this game is get pass-happy. This isn’t a center who is equipped to handle this kind of matchup. They must run the ball and not allow that trio to get up steam on their rushes. One thing in Bradbury’s favor is that this coaching staff is smart enough to know that.
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This Bears staff isn’t afraid to shake things up.
Johnson has maintained his belief in Bradbury from the start. He doesn’t seem eager to get Jones out there yet. The rookie needs time to acclimate to the NFL, particularly the Bears’ challenging offensive system. As a veteran who’s played in several systems, Bradbury always had the advantage. The key was making sure to capitalize on it. So far, he hasn’t really done that. If the Bears offensive line has a weak link, it hasn’t been Braxton Jones as many expected. That (dis)honor goes to Bradbury.
This Monday night game is a vital one for Chicago. They cannot afford to go down 1-2 in the standings. With Case Keenum getting the start, more is needed from the supporting cast on offense. Guys must play their best football. Few are in greater need of a bounce-back week than Bradbury. He was a big reason things went sideways against Minnesota. Don’t expect much of a grace period if he does something similar against that Eagles front.
