Tag: bears offensive line

Germain Ifedi signing isn’t Bears’ answer for offensive line help

The Bears signed former Seahawks OL Germain Ifedi, but is he really the answer for Chicago’s offensive line woes?

Heading into the offseason, the offensive line was such a huge need for the Chicago Bears and general manager Ryan Pace knew it had to be addressed.

On Wednesday, Pace went out and signed former Seattle Seahawks offensive lineman, Germain Ifedi. The move wasn’t what some Bears fans were expecting, that’s for sure.

Ifedi, a former first-round pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, is a versatile type player because he’s played both right guard and tackle.

According to PFF, Ifedi had 13 penalties in 2019 — tied for fifth in the NFL — on 1,107 snaps played. The Bears are now stuck with two offensive linemen who commit an egregious amount of penalties, as Charles Leno Jr. is known for the exact same thing.

With Kyle Long’s retirement, the Bears are in need of a right guard, but I just don’t think signing Ifedi was the right move.

Now that Ifedi will possibly be playing right guard, it is likely that the Bears won’t draft a guard and will focus on bringing in a tackle in the upcoming NFL Draft.

Personally, I don’t like this move at all. I think it would’ve been a better move to let Alex Bars play right guard to start the season.

What do you think? Do you like the Ifedi move? Do you hate it?

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Bears signing former first-round OL Germain Ifedi to 1-year deal

The Bears finally addressed the offensive line in free agency with the addition of tackle/guard Germain Ifedi

Offensive line has been arguably one of the biggest needs this offseason for the Chicago Bears. While Chicago has been adding free agents left and right, they had yet to address one of the biggest needs on their roster. Until now.

The Bears finally addressed the offensive line in free agency with the addition of offensive lineman Germain Ifedi, who has agreed to terms on a one-year deal, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport,

Ifedi, a former first-round pick by the Seahawks, started 60 games over the last four seasons, playing both guard and tackle. The Seahawks chose not to exercise his fifth-year option, which would’ve gave him $10.3 million in 2020, and he’s found a new home in Chicago.

The Bears are mostly stuck with what they’ve got on the offensive line for another season, but there’s still plenty of work to be done. There’s also a right guard spot up for grabs following Kyle Long’s retirement.

While Ifedi has played mostly offensive tackle during his career, it certainly helps that he has experience moving to guard. He figures to get an opportunity to start at right guard for the Bears in 2020.

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Should the Bears address offensive line in free agency?

The first wave of free agency is over, and GM Ryan Pace has yet to address a major need in the offensive line.

The offensive line for the Chicago Bears was a major question mark during the 2019 season. Heading into the offseason, general manager Ryan Pace knew he had to address it.

Now that the first wave of free agency is over, Pace has yet to address a major need in the offensive line. Does Pace wait until the NFL Draft to address it? Or should he go out and sign someone off the free-agent market?

Well, Bleacher Report suggests that the Bears should go out and sign offensive guard Michael Schofield III from the Los Angeles Chargers.

Guard is a position the Bears can address in the draft, even without a first-round pick. But general manager Ryan Pace should cover the team’s bases since the offensive front lacks quality depth.

Michael Schofield III started 16 games in three of the last four seasons. He can immediately be inserted with the first string. With experience at tackle, the 29-year-old offensive lineman also presents some positional flexibility if the Bears invest in a guard during the draft.

If Pace didn’t address the guard position, I’d be okay with that. You want to know why? Because Chicago has Alex Bars who can play right guard. Bars deserves a real chance at playing in the NFL, and perhaps it’s time to give him that opportunity.

Let Alex Bars play right guard and draft Ezra Cleveland with their first pick in the NFL Draft, which I mentioned in my first mock draft of the year.

What do you think? Should the Bears give Bars a chance at right guard and Pace drafts a tackle? Or should Chicago go out and sign Schofield?

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4 positional needs for Bears through early free agency

After the Bears focused on some needs in free agency at TE, QB and EDGE, they still have some key positions that need to be addressed.

We’ve made it through the early part of free agency, and the Bears have made some big moves. Some are loved — like the addition of pass rusher Robert Quinn — and others not so much — like the signing of tight end Jimmy Graham.

But even after the Bears addressed some needs in free agency at tight end, quarterback and edge rusher, they still have some key positions that need to be addressed through continued free agency and the 2020 NFL Draft.

Here are four positional needs for the Bears following the early wave of free agency:

1. Offensive line

AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall

Chicago’s offensive line had its share of struggles in 2019. Considering the amount of money invested into the line, that kind of production was unacceptable. Unfortunately, the Bears appear to be saddled with what they have, minus right guard, for this season.

The Bears failed to address the offensive line in free agency. They still have a vacancy at the right guard spot, following Kyle Long’s retirement. There are still some veteran options on the free agent market Chicago could take a look at, like Ted Larsen or Kevin Pamphile. But it’s most likely that the Bears make offensive line a priority in the NFL Draft.

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Redskins sign former Bears OT Cornelius Lucas to 2-year deal

The Bears have lost another depth player to free agency, this time swing tackle Cornelius Lucas, who signed a deal with the Redskins.

The Chicago Bears have lost another depth player to free agency, this time on the offensive side of the ball.

Former Bears offensive tackle Cornelius Lucas is signing a two-year deal with the Washington Redskins, according to Ian Rapoport. The contract is valued at $5.3 million.

Lucas served as Chicago’s backup swing tackle last season. But he ended up getting some significant starting time for the Bears last season after Bobby Massie suffered a high-ankle sprain that sidelined him for the final five games of the season.

Where things currently stand, Lucas’ deal with the Redskins likely adds another compensatory pick for the Bears. According to Over The Cap, it would likely be a seventh rounder. That would give Chicago four compensatory picks for 2021.

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What position should Bears address in NFL Draft, not free agency?

While quarterback and tight end have dominated the offseason conversation, the Bears need plenty of work on the offensive line.

The Bears have several issues to address this offseason, especially on offense following an abysmal outing in 2019. While quarterback and tight end have dominated the conversation, Chicago needs some work on the offensive line.

While the Bears are ultimately stuck with what they’ve got at tackle for next season in Charles Leno and Bobby Massie, who collectively account for $18.6 million in salary cap space in 2020, they do have a vacant right guard position that needs to be addressed.

Given Chicago’s salary cap situation, Bleacher Report believes the Bears should steer clear of addressing offensive guard in free agency and look to the NFL Draft for a young prospect.

There’s plenty of talk circulating that the Bears intend to add a veteran quarterback to challenge 2017 second overall pick Mitchell Trubisky. But no matter who the starting quarterback is in 2020, that signal-caller will have a much better chance of success if the team improves an offensive line that ranked 20th or worse in both run blocking and pass protection last year, according to Football Outsiders.

Adding that veteran under center will eat up most of the team’s $16.6 million in cap space, so the best chance at bettering the line will be on Day 2 in April.

While the Bears could target offensive tackle in what’s a deep draft class, that might ultimately help them nab a top-three guard such as Georgia’s Solomon Kindley or Kentucky’s Logan Stenberg with pick 43.

There was plenty of blame to go around on offense last season, but the offensive line didn’t make it any easier on a struggling Mitchell Trubisky both in run blocking and pass protection.

Given the amount of money invested in the Bears offensive line, the group simply has to be better. That, and they need to find a right guard to replace the retired Kyle Long.

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Bears trade down, add OL, TE, CB in new 3-round mock draft

In a new mock draft, the Bears trade down to accumulate an additional pick and address 3 needs in offensive line, tight end and cornerback.

With no shortage of needs on Chicago’s roster — from offensive line to edge rusher to tight end to defensive back — the Bears should be able to add some effective pieces to this roster in the 2020 NFL Draft.

The Bears are once again without a first-round pick (which was sent to the Raiders in the Khalil Mack trade.) But they do have two of second round selections in the top-150, and general manager Ryan Pace needs to make them count.

In The Draft Network’s newest three-round mock draft, Kyle Crabbs has the Bears trading down in the second round to accumulate an additional pick and address three important needs in offensive line, tight end and cornerback.

With the 43rd overall pick, Crabbs has Chicago selecting Ohio State guard Jonah Jackson. With Kyle Long’s retirement, there’s a vacancy at right guard, and the Bears could turn to the NFL Draft to address it.

The Chicago Bears need depth in the middle after the retirement of Kyle Long. Jonah Jackson might be the best plug-and-play guard in the draft.

Pace has garnered a reputation for locking in on his guy and trading up to get him, whether that’s Mitchell Trubisky, Anthony Miller or David Montgomery. But something he’s not known for is trading down to accumulate picks.

Crabbs has the Bears trading with the Ravens, where Chicago would receive Baltimore’s 60th pick and their third-round selection at pick No. 92.

With that 60th selection, Crabbs has the Bears selecting arguably the best tight end in the NFL Draft in Notre Dame’s Cole Kmet. Following an abysmal collective outing by Bears tight ends in 2019, Pace is exploring all options to better the position.

Chicago needs more from the tight end position after swinging and missing on Adam Shaheen. Cole Kmet is the cleanest “in-line” prospect at the position to project to the pro level.

Finally, with that third-round pick acquired in a trade with Baltimore, Crabbs has the Bears selecting Iowa cornerback Michael Ojemudia with the 92nd pick. After releasing Prince Amukamara to free up salary cap space, the Bears need to address the vacant cornerback spot opposite Kyle Fuller.

The Bears’ secondary bid farewell to Prince Amukamara this offseason. Michael Ojemudia is a comparable athlete at a comparable size.

The Bears currently have seven draft picks, and they’re projected to add a fourth-round compensatory selection to the list.

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Ohio State OL Jonah Jackson dubbed perfect fit for Bears in 2020 NFL Draft

The Bears have no shortage of needs heading into the NFL Draft. But which prospect would be the best fit for Chicago?

Following a disappointing season on offense, the Bears have several positions they need to address this offseason. Free agency begins in less than two weeks, but they’ll also have the NFL Draft to find some young talent to contribute.

The Bears are expected to target a number of positions of need in the draft, including tight end, offensive line, quarterback, edge rusher and defensive back.

But which prospect is the best fit for Chicago? Pro Football Focus believes that’s Ohio State guard Jonah Jackson.

Thanks to the Khalil Mack trade, the Bears are once again without a first-round pick in the upcoming NFL Draft, but they do have two second-round selections. Jackson makes sense as one of those picks to fill in at right guard, which was a spot manned by Rashaad Coward and his 51.7 overall grade last season. The offensive line as a whole was one of the bigger disappointments of the Bears’ season, as they ended the year ranked 25th in PFF’s final offensive line rankings. Adding Jackson in the second round would be a step in the right direction for that unit.

Jackson was PFF’s No. 2 interior offensive lineman and their 38th-ranked player overall. More than that, it’s his versatility that makes him a valuable commodity.

He’s performed well at both right guard (2018) and left guard (2019).  Jackson is also one of the better pass blockers, as he’s put up a pass-protection grade of 84.4 since 2018.

When it comes to Chicago’s offensive line, they’re essentially locked up for next season, minus a vacant right guard spot. Rashaad Coward, who filled in for the injured Kyle Long last season, or Alex Bars could fill that role. But the Bears could also find their guy in the draft.

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What are Bears’ biggest needs heading into free agency?

With free agency less than two weeks away, the Bears have several needs heading into the 2020 season, especially on offense.

With free agency less than two weeks away, the Bears have several needs heading into the 2020 season.

While the Bears are tight on salary cap space, they’re still expected to be active in free agency, particularly on the offensive side of the ball.

NFL.com’s Grant Gordon detailed the Bears’ three biggest needs heading into free agency, which include quarterback, tight end and offensive line.

Ideally following the Titans’ blueprint of last season, the Bears would do well to bring in a veteran QB who can push Trubisky in practice and occasionally whisper some wisdom into his ear (Andy Dalton might be perfect for this role) — and provide an upgrade from 2019 backup Chase Daniel in the event that all is not well with Trubisky.

Improvement is needed across the board for a unit that ranked as the No. 25 O-line in 2019, per PFF, but most notably at the guard spots and likely at center, after Cody Whitehair’s play waned.

As the maturation saga of a man named Mitch carries on, having a top-level tight end in Matt Nagy’s offense is of the utmost priority, and questions linger about Burton’s ability to fill that role.

Fixing the offense is of utmost importance for Ryan Pace and Matt Nagy this offseason, and free agency provides an opportunity for them to address arguably their two biggest needs: Quarterback and tight end.

The Bears continue to stand behind Mitchell Trubisky as their 2020 starter, but it’s imperative that they find an experienced veteran that can challenge Trubisky and provide some insurance should his struggles continue.

But there’s also been speculation about a possible trade for a quarterback, like an Andy Dalton or Derek Carr. It doesn’t matter where they find these quarterbacks — free agency or trade — as much as it’s about finding a quality backup that can fill-in if needed, like a Ryan Tannehill.

Then there’s the tight end position, which Chicago has already begun addressing. They’ve brought in tight ends coach Clancy Barone and signed Demetrius Harris, someone with experience in Nagy’s offense. But that’s only the beginning. The Bears are expected to test the free agent waters and target a tight end in the NFL Draft.

The offensive line is more tricky. While it’s certainly one of the biggest needs heading into free agency, Chicago isn’t likely to find the answer to their offensive line woes in the immediate future. Ultimately, they’re stuck with what they’ve got for the most part in 2020. Rather, the NFL Draft provides an opportunity to build towards the future.

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5 questions for Ryan Pace and Matt Nagy ahead of NFL Scouting Combine

Ryan Pace and Matt Nagy will meet with the media ahead of the NFL Scouting Combine, and there are sure to be no shortage of questions.

Bears general manager Ryan Pace and head coach Matt Nagy will meet with the media on Tuesday ahead of the NFL Scouting Combine, and there are sure to be no shortage of questions directed at them.

Pace will meet with reporters at 9:00 a.m. CT and Nagy is scheduled to talk to the media at 11:15 a.m. CT.

While reporters will come out firing with questions, it’s unlikely that Pace or Nagy will give away any information that could tip off any teams. Still, there are important questions that will be asked — and then those questions will be answered without answering at all.

Still, here are five questions we have for Pace and Nagy heading into the NFL Scouting Combine:

1. How are the Bears going to continue to clear salary cap space?

AP Photo/Jim Mone

The Bears have already freed up $13.5 million in salary cap space with the release of cornerback Prince Amukamara and receiver Taylor Gabriel. But those are just the first cap-casualties of this offseason, and Pace is expected to make some more roster cuts to free up more cap space.

Pace needs to make a decision on outside linebacker Leonard Floyd, who is due to make $13.2 million this season. The Bears have until the start of the new league year to release Floyd and save an additional $13.2 million guaranteed by his fifth-year option.

Other players that Pace will need to make some decisions about include at the tight end position with Adam Shaheen and Ben Braunecker. While Braunecker is a valuable special teamer, Shaheen is at the greatest risk of being cut this offseason.

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