Matt Nagy said during his post-game press conference on Saturday that the Chicago Bears didn’t sign Jason Peterson to be a backup or a mentor to the younger tackles on the roster. That is technically true. There is no way the 39-year old future Hall of Famer would’ve signed with the team if he didn’t feel he had a likely path to the starting left tackle job. However, that doesn’t make Nagy’s words entirely true.

While Peters does have designs on starting for the Bears, his goals go beyond just that. He understands his time in the NFL is nearing an end. He wants to keep playing as long as he can. Maybe try for one more shot at the Super Bowl. Beyond that though? The man seems to understand that it is also important to start giving back to the game. During an interview last year on Good Morning Football, Peters made it clear one of his goals is to show the “young guys” how to play the game of football.

This should serve as a reminder.

Peters is a professional. One of the best players at his position of the past decade-plus. Yes, the Bears are getting him at the tail end of his career, but that doesn’t mean he can’t make a strong contribution to their cause. When healthy he showed even last season he can still be a competent blocker. Pro Football Focus said that while 2020 was his worst season as a pro, he was very good in 2019 when he was mostly healthy.

“Two out of his last three seasons have been only average, but he is only a year removed from an impressive year with a PFF pass-blocking grade of 86.7. For a team with as many questions on the O-line as Chicago, Peters is a good gamble.”

The Bears aren’t searching for a long-term solution. They feel they may have one in their newest draft picks Teven Jenkins and Larry Borom. The problem is both of them are hurt. It is looking like they may not be ready to start the season. Signing Peters became necessary at that point. While it will delay those two getting on the field, it does buy them time to get healthy and provides them as good of a mentor as they could ask for.

Jason Peters will be tested right out of the gate

First, he’ll see Leonard Floyd on opening night fresh off 10 sacks last season for the Rams. Then Trey Hendrickson will come to Soldier Field after he delivered 13.5 sacks for New Orleans last year. It gets even better in Week 3 as Myles Garrett and Jadeveon Clowney will be waiting in Cleveland. Those are some pretty good pass rushers. All of them young and athletic. Given how much Peters struggled with speed last year, it’s hard not to feel concerned.

Then again nobody should expect him to be intimidated. This is somebody who has never feared a challenge in his life. That is how you play almost two decades in the NFL and win a Super Bowl. Jason Peters is a great fit for this offensive line. Not just because he fills a key position of need and knows the offense. It is also because of his experience. As of now, he’s the only projected starter over the age of 30.

That can prove valuable to such a young group.

Chicago isn’t asking him to be the savior. They’re asking him to play a role. Steady the left tackle spot until they can figure out who exactly their long-term solution will be. Peters seems ready and willing to embrace that.