The Chicago Bears made a significant shift to their offensive line last weekend when they signed Jason Peters. It came as a bit of a surprise considering the team had continued to insist they were hopeful Teven Jenkins would return from his back issue. Once Peters arrived, it became obvious to everybody that something was wrong. Sure enough, the rookie underwent back surgery on Wednesday. While there is hope he may return later this season, some think he’s likely done until 2022.
So now it appears to be a new lineup at left tackle. Head coach Matt Nagy insists there will be a competition for the job between Peters and promising rookie Larry Borom. Yet common sense says there is no way the 39-year old signs that contract without some sort of assurance that the job would be his. The good news is the longtime veteran was suited up for practice and got some early work in. Nagy said the guy is excited to get going what with this being the first new team he’s played for since 2009.
What can the Bears expect from him?
Peters isn’t the player he was several years ago. It is pretty clear the athleticism and quickness he had back then are gone. However, he has an incredible array of knowledge at his disposal and remains an incredibly powerful guy. Provided the Bears don’t expose him to too many speed rushers this season, it isn’t unreasonable to think he can be a more than serviceable blocker for them.
What it will come down to is healthy. Peters has missed 11 games over the past two years. Many believe his body just can’t hold up for a full season anymore. Peters doesn’t seem to agree. No doubt he feels he has a lot to prove after the way the 2020 season went for him.
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Jason Peters can be valuable in several ways for the Bears
First is the actual blocking on the field. If healthy, Peters is still a top 20 tackle in the NFL. Crazy to think about at his age. If the Bears commit to running the football more often this year, then he and Cody Whitehair could form a formidable combination on that left side. A great development for David Montgomery and that running back room.
Then there is the experience. Jason Peters has seen a lot of football in his career. He was easily one of the best offensive tackles in the sport back in the early 2010s. He’s also won the Super Bowl with Philadelphia in 2017. So there is a ton of knowledge he can impart to the younger Bears linemen about what it takes to play at a high level in this league. Something they’ve never really had before.
This is why the team signed him.
Sure there are risks involved. That is always a factor with players who last this long in free agency. It’s why Peters didn’t get all that much money. He is out to prove something. The Bears were willing to give him that opportunity. Getting a guy of his talent that motivated so late in his career is rare.
