The answer to the left tackle problem for the Bears is obvious, why aren’t they pursuing it?
The Chicago Bears desperately need a quality left tackle, among other things. Anyone with a football brain can see that Charles Leno Jr. isn’t the long term answer especially if the team is going to deploy a young quarterback to take the helm in 2017. Ironically enough, right tackle is also a glaring weakness on the Bears.
So how does Ryan Pace fix this?
It’s actually pretty simple.
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The Left Tackle Spot
Notably the most expensive position in the NFL, and definitely one of the most important, the left tackle spot is crucial for any team to have long term success… especially a team that doesn’t have an elite quarterback. Proof of this lies in the tackle grades from last season, is it really a surprise that Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers both have their tackles graded out in the top 5? Of course not. Everybody knows a quarterback needs to be protected to be successful and the left tackle is responsible for the defenders the right-handers can’t see coming. Chicago’s duo of Leno and Bobby Massie graded out a 41st and 43rd, respectively, at BARELY “average.”
There’s a reason why Massie was available in free agency and Leno was a seventh round pick, and it’s because they are both backups. Elite left tackles almost never hit the free agent market, the Bears learned that with Jermon Bushrod. After signing a five-year deal with Chicago worth a ridiculous $35 milliion he was released due to multiple injuries with two years remaining. The Bears thought they found a diamond in the rough but Bushrod turned out to be damaged goods. (let’s hope Pernell McPhee doesn’t turn out the same way) Again, finding elite left tackles in free agency is incredibly rare.
So, how about the draft? Well you can start by saying this year is very weak for offensive tackles. Most of the top prospects are predicted to play right, rather than left, because they all seemingly have physical attributes that are expected to restrict them at the next level. Cam Robinson, from Alabama, is widely considered the best football prospect coming out but he has a few concerns off the field that will likely restrict him from landing in the top 10. Point being there is no left tackle to draft, even at number three, that isn’t going to fix the Bears’ problem.
