The last time Kyle Long suited up to play a game for the Chicago Bears was over two months ago during the team’s matchup against the Oakland Raiders. But following their 24-21 loss, Long was placed on injured reserve, officially due to a hip injury, but wear and tear was also cited as the veteran struggled on the line when he was active. The move was seen as the final nail in Long’s Bears career.
Following the injury designation, Long had maintained radio silence, not posting on social media or speaking with reporters as he’s been away from the team. He finally emerged on Thanksgiving and returned to social media, live-tweeting the Bears-Lions game. He then continued the next week, posting and live-streaming his reactions to the Bears win against the Cowboys on Thursday, even providing a must-listen call of quarterback Mitchell Trubisky’s touchdown run.
But in the midst of his fun and lighthearted posts are some signs that the guard knows his time as a Bear is done after this season. Following Thursday’s game, Long posted a message saying he’s disappointed he can’t help the team on the field, but is “looking forward to what’s next.”
A few days later, he retweeted a viral video of two moose fighting and tagged defensive lineman and teammate Akiem Hicks, comparing the fight to their battles in practice and said, “I’m gonna miss this.”
It bothers me I can’t be a part of this team ina tangible sense, but that’s the NFL. Looking forward to what’s next
— Kyle Long (@Ky1eLong) December 6, 2019
I’m gonna miss this @The_Dream99 https://t.co/y34zyFat28
— Kyle Long (@Ky1eLong) December 8, 2019
Even prior to the injury, Long was projected to be a free agent in 2020 as he was in the final guaranteed season of his contract after restructuring his deal earlier this year. The Bears have a team option for 2020 that would pay the 31-year old $6 million in base salary, but the team isn’t expected to exercise it, leading to questions about what’s next.
When asked about retirement, however, the former Pro-Bowl lineman said he still plans to play in 2020 and isn’t shutting the door on his Bears career just yet. These posts, however, seem to indicate Long has come to terms with his future with the team.
Long will still be cheering his teammates on, hopefully through more live streams as well. Whether Long does retire or plays in 2020, there’s no denying the impact he’s had on the Bears since he was drafted in 2013.
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