New Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles has plenty of work to do with this roster heading into free agency and the NFL draft. But arguably the most important is addressing the concerns on the offensive line, as protecting quarterback Justin Fields will be key.
There are questions both at the tackle position and within the interior of the line, as Cody Whitehair, Teven Jenkins and Larry Borom are the only projected starters currently under contract. While they figure to play an integral part in 2022, we could see some new faces along Chicago’s offensive line.
ESPN’s Bill Barnwell believes the best way the Bears can improve heading into the 2022 season is simple: “Get (most of) a new offensive line.”
Realistically, if the Bears want to try to retain some continuity while giving Fields a chance to thrive, they could move Whitehair to center, install Jenkins and Borom as the two tackles and go find two new guards. If Getsy wants to make more significant changes, there’s a chance that Jenkins is the only guy on the current roster who starts Week 1. New offensive line coach Chris Morgan is going have his work cut out for him.
The Bears also have an important decision to make about offensive guard James Daniels, who’s set to be a hot name in free agency. Daniels is just 24 years old, and he’s been a key fixture on the offensive line since he was a rookie in 2018.
While the Bears have some talented young players in place with Jenkins and Borom, there could be a shakeup along the offensive line if they bring in a veteran tackle or address the position in the draft.
Poles remained noncommittal about where Jenkins would be lining up on the offensive line in 2022, which certainly leaves the door open to a big shift up front.
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