It appears former Chicago Bears offensive guard Kyle Long is ready to get back into the NFL.
According to Macon Gunter, co-host of the Green Light Pod with Chris Long, Kyle’s brother, the 32-year old offensive lineman is ending his retirement and will look to sign with a team this offseason after signing with Select Sports Group.
Three-time Pro Bowl OL Kyle Long is returning to the NFL. He is 315 lbs., healthy, happy, nasty, and shredded, and has signed with Jeff Nalley of Select Sports Group.
— Macon Gunter (@macongunter) March 9, 2021
Long last played in 2019 for the Bears before being placed on injured reserve a few weeks into the season for a hip issue. He was shut down for the year and retired from football in early 2020.
The former Oregon Duck was drafted by the Bears in the first round of the 2013 NFL Draft and made three Pro Bowl appearances at two different positions. Though he was one of their key leaders on the offensive line for many years, injuries plagued Long over his last four seasons in the league that ultimately led him to step away from the game.
Following his retirement, Long found a gig with CBS Sports as a studio analyst during the NFL season, but began dropping hints that a comeback to football could be in the works. He admitted as much to the “Parkins & Spiegel” show on 670 The Score last week when he said he missed the game everyday.
Former Bear and three-time Pro Bowl offensive lineman Kyle Long is returning to the NFL after a year away from the game, according to @macongunter and @JOEL9ONE. He will be a free agent.
Long said last week to @ParkinsSpiegel: "I miss (football) every day."
— Chris Emma (@CEmma670) March 9, 2021
If and when Long makes his return to the league official, he will be a free agent as the Bears released him from his contract last March. While fans would love to see him back in Chicago, Long will likely be playing elsewhere as he hasn’t been shy with his feelings about head coach Matt Nagy on his way out of Halas Hall.
[listicle id=468631]