It’s hard to slam Leno and Massie. Though they struggled early in the season, both seemed to improve towards the second half. They were part of the unit that allowed just 28 sacks in 2016 and also paved the way for Jordan Howard. The second-leading rusher in the NFL (1,313 yards). So why should the team be so anxious to replace them?
A few reasons. One is that an NFL team always has an obligation to seek upgrades at any position that doesn’t have star talent. Leno and Massie are passable, but far from stars. Then there is the fact that such upgrades now exist in a pool that once seems shallow. Among the list of lukewarm names on the market, one name surfaced out of Denver that could be their solution.
#Broncos informed LT Russell Okung they weren't picking up his option, as @JayGlazer said. Gets $8M in 2016 out of $53M on his “5-year” deal
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 23, 2017
Okung may have been cut by Denver but there are some who think he drew the blame for the entire Broncos offensive line being bad. Besides that his contract wasn’t favorable to the team. Based on the numbers he actually had a pretty good year. According to Pro Football Focus he had an overall grade of 73.5 for the 2016 season, which was higher than both Leno (70.8) and Massie (69.9).
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Former player and longtime football analyst Pat Kirwan quickly backed up the claim that Okung did better than people realize.
need a LT recently cut Okung had his 1st 16 gm season of his career and gave up just 4 sacks. Seattle,NYG,and others need him
— Pat Kirwan (@PatKirwanRFN) February 23, 2017
Okung is still just 29-years old. He’s a former Pro Bowler who is known for his excellent run blocking ability. He was the anchor of the Seattle Seahawks offensive line that paved the way for Marshawn Lynch during their two Super Bowl runs in 2013 and 2014. When he gets his long arms and massive frame into a defender, it’s over.
.@NathanE11 this Russell Okung fellow is pretty impressive pic.twitter.com/RlcDDs6iUQ
— Ben B (@guga31bb) December 22, 2016
I love the way Russell Okung plays the game. An attitude the #Broncos OL hasn't had in a while. Don't blame him for the running game issues. pic.twitter.com/Uz7j2MnTD4
— Brandon Thorn (@VeteranScout) November 8, 2016
Russell Okung buried this poor sap. How much is Seattle regretting letting him walk rn pic.twitter.com/u2aev7h0Os
— Yung Buñuelo (@PovediitzBDL) September 21, 2016
Watch him for just a few minutes and it’s clear Okung is a bully. He loves to get after it in the run game and can blow lanes wide open. That however belies how good an athlete he is for his size. Routinely he’s been able to handle top level NFL pass rushers on an island by himself. The attitude he brings to the game is something Chicago fans would love from the moment he stepped on the field.
So ask the question again. Would a Russell Okung Bears signing make the offensive line better than it was a year ago? The answer is yes. Put him in a competition against either Leno or Massie and it’s almost a foregone conclusion that he’ll beat one of them for a starting job. Chicago can afford his asking price. Best of all he’d make life even easier for Jordan Howard as he continues an ascent towards stardom.
With a new quarterback coming in, the Bears are obligated to improve however possible on offense.
