The Chicago Bears offensive line is in the middle of a crisis. Nobody needs a reminder of that. The group is coming off its worst performance of the season. One where Nick Foles was sacked four times and the running game couldn’t even top 80 yards. If that weren’t bad enough, injuries are mounting too. James Daniels is already done for the year. Now Cody Whitehair has a calf problem. This is probably why many fans are pleading with Kyle Long to come out of retirement.
It’s been rumored for some time that the former three-time Pro Bowler might be contemplating a comeback. He posted his recent weight on Twitter which was around 294 lbs at the time. He’s had several months to heal from the many injuries that ravaged his body towards the end of his run with Chicago. He’s still only 31-years old. The man is a competitor. It wouldn’t surprise if that fire still burns to compete.
Is he contemplating a comeback?
Long has danced around that idea for weeks despite several hints. At last, during an interview on Red Line Radio, he pretty much let the cat out of the bag. He’s been training and putting on weight with the idea of returning to the NFL. However, it isn’t likely to happen with the Bears.
“People keep being like ‘Will you come back? Will you come back?’ and I gotta be honest, I’m 304 [lbs]. I was 250 [lbs] on July 4th, and I am in control of my weight. So it goes to show that I am trying to put on weight for any of those idiots who couldn’t put that together. But ya, I wouldn’t be coming back to play for the Bears. I gotta say that.
They kicked me outta town, I mean they really kicked me out of Halas Hall. And if you look at it I’m not the type of guy who gets dumped by a hot chick [and goes back to her] and don’t get me wrong the Chicago Bears are an extremely beautiful girl, but they dumped me, so if I do try to come back it unfortunately won’t be for the navy and orange.”
Is this because of a faded love for Chicago? Not even close. When pressed on whether or not he’d jump at the chance to be a Bear again if Ryan Pace called, Long made one thing clear. It isn’t the team itself that keeps him from wanting to come home. It’s the head coach.
“I would play for the Bears for significantly less than you would think but, unfortunately, I can’t put my pride aside and go back to a coaching staff that let me go”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AUCMAwbYLbk&t=1s&ab_channel=DofuSports
Kyle Long may need an apology from Matt Nagy
Anybody who has followed Long after he left the Bears should know this by now. He is not a huge fan of Matt Nagy. Why? Not only does the guard have significant questions about the man’s ability to coordinate an offense, but he also holds a grudge for how the head coach basically kicked him off the team. Long didn’t retire. He was “fired.”
In his mind, Nagy gave up on him. While the guard understands the mindset, he can’t help but feel bitter. He couldn’t bring himself to play hard for such a head coach again. Odds are the only way that happens is if Nagy met with him personally and offered an apology. Something that doesn’t feel forthcoming.
Maybe things change if the O-line keeps struggling.
Thus far the Bears haven’t made any noteworthy moves to fix the problem. No free agent signings and no word on possible trades. If the blocking issues persist, the heat will only intensify on the team brass to do something. Bringing Long back would certainly qualify as a move that might galvanize the fanbase. Especially knowing he’d be willing to play for cheap.
It feels like pride is the only thing standing in the way of this happening. From both sides. If the Bears continue to lose? Pride has a tendency to get humbled pretty fast.