The Chicago Bears didn’t make any big splash moves in the 2022 off-season. That doesn’t mean they failed to find potential impact players. GM Ryan Poles’ first draft class is already contributing. Jaquan Brisker, Kyler Gordon, Dominique Robinson, and Braxton Jones played major roles in that Week 1 upset of the San Francisco 49ers. So did Lucas Patrick. The veteran interior blocker was a huge help to their second half 19-point surge. One person that loved what he saw was Kyle Long.
The former three-time Pro Bowler believes Patrick is something the Bears have been missing the past couple of years. Sure, talent is one thing. However, the biggest benefit is personality. It is already evident Patrick operates with such high energy that it comes bursting out of him. The intensity can’t be understated. In his mind, Long believes such a player is vital to the success of any offense or defense. It was a lesson he learned himself during his rookie season back in 2013.
Every time I see Lucas Patrick on film or on camera he’s smiling and it’s infectious that kind of energy is what bounces all over the walls and gets into your teammates minds https://t.co/VBXkiF521e
— kyle (@Ky1eLong) September 18, 2022
When I was a rookie Lance Briggs had incredible energy like that (obviously he could play some football too) but as a rookie it was a great bar to try to match in terms of intensity etc re: @adamjahns article on @lucaspatrick62 need a guy like that (or 22)
— kyle (@Ky1eLong) September 18, 2022
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Here's hoping everyone has as much fun tomorrow as Lucas Patrick (lower left on the screen) did after the #Bears scored the go-ahead TD. #footballisfun pic.twitter.com/99bOd12pBx
— dan durkin (@djdurkin) September 15, 2022
Kyle Long saw something else that Patrick brought.
Attitude. For the first time in what feels like years, the Bears offensive line was the aggressor. They played a physical brand of football, especially in the second half when they started popping some runs. Patrick was part of that. He loves to mix it up with guys. The nastiness was hard to miss. It shouldn’t be shocking. That was one of the reasons Poles and his scouts targeted the former Packers undrafted free agent.
They’re going to need him in this game on Sunday night. Green Bay’s defensive front has almost always controlled the line of scrimmage in every meeting against the Bears. Kyle Long knows that. It is something that drove him nuts during his playing days. Patrick doesn’t figure to let that happen. At least not without a fight. It should be a physical evening up at Lambeau Field.
One thing is for sure. Patrick will be insufferable if the Bears somehow pull off the upset.
There are only five positions on the offensive line.
If the Bears’ coaches decide that Lucas Patrick is one of the “five best guys” — he should play.
If the Bears’ GM makes the decision, it makes a mockery of the new ethic: “performance over politics.”
Here’s to Patrick being insufferable, we hope!