Tag: Bobby Massie

Bears 2020 training camp preview: Offensive line

The Bears return four of five starters on their offensive line heading into 2020. Let’s take a look at the unit heading into training camp.

The Chicago Bears will report to training camp on July 28 and one unit to keep an eye on is the offensive lineman. This offseason the Bears didn’t heavily invest into their offensive line that was ranked 29th in run blocking and 21st in pass protection.

The Bears also saw their long time offensive guard Kyle Long retire this offseason and looked into bottom tier free agents and late 2020 draft picks do fill some void and bring competition.

Let’s take a look at the offensive line heading into training camp.

Cody Whitehair

Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

After switching from center to left guard before the start of the 2019 season, Whitehair saw himself playing center in the second half of the season. Entering his fifth year, Whitehair is confident that he’ll be playing center for the 2020 season, where he feels comfortable.

In 2018 Whitehair was very comfortable in playing center as he earned his only Pro Bowl selection so far through his career.

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9 Bears players coming back from injury ahead of training camp

This offseason has given injured Bears players an opportunity to get healthy heading into a crucial 2020 season.

One of the biggest challenges for any NFL team is to remain somewhat lucky on the injury front. It’s something that the Chicago Bears were able to do in 2018, where they didn’t suffer any significant losses long-term.

But the 2019 season was another story. The Bears suffered a number of injuries, including some significant losses on defense and offense. Chicago defense lost three of its best players and their top three tight ends all landed on injured reserve.

Luckily, this offseason has given those players an opportunity to get healthy heading into a crucial 2020 season.

Let’s take a look at nine players the Bears are getting back from injury heading into training camp.

DT Akiem Hicks

Elsa/Getty Images

The biggest boost to this Bears defense will be the return of Akiem Hicks, who anchors the middle of the defensive line. Last season, Hicks suffered an elbow injury against the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 5. He landed on injured reserve for eight weeks before returning for Chicago’s biggest game of the season against the Green Bay Packers in Week 15. But Hicks re-aggravated the elbow injury that held him out most of the season.

Hicks’ return will bolster the entire front seven, including the pass rush, which struggled last season in his absence. Back in May, Hicks shared a video of his first time lifting weights without a brace on his elbow. And he’s confident he’ll be good to go come training camp.

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Where does the Bears offensive line rank among rest of the NFL?

There were many issues on the Bears offense in 2020, but the offensive line was a big reason for the struggles.

There were many issues on the Chicago Bears offense in 2020, but the offensive line was a big reason for the struggles, particularly in the run game. Still, the Bears are set to return four of those five starters with the hope that they turn it around in 2020.

Pro Football Focus ranked the Bears’ offensive line 22nd in the NFL, which ranks behind the Green Bay Packers (4th) and Detroit Lions (16th), as well as just ahead of the Minnesota Vikings (23rd).

PFF believes that the offensive line’s success hinges on the performance of tackles Charles Leno Jr. and Bobby Massie, who both took a significant step backward last season. Leno had lows in pass-blocking and run-blocking. While Massie was average, he also experienced a drop-off.

Left tackle Charles Leno saw the biggest drop-off in play, as he had four straight seasons grading in the 70s from 2015 to 2018 but finished at just 58.6 overall last season, good for just 64th out of 82 qualifiers. Leno earned his worst pass-blocking grade since 2015 while posting the lowest run-blocking grade of his career, at 47.5.

At right tackle, Bobby Massie has been the epitome of league average since 2015, ranking 57th out of 109 qualifiers over that span. However, he also took a step back last season, ranking just 51st with a 63.2 grade. 

PFF is less concerned with the interior of the Bears’ offensive line, namely Cody Whitehair and James Daniels, who once again switched positions last season. Whitehair figures to remain at center with Daniels occupying the left guard spot in 2020.

According to PFF, Whitehair is one of the best run-blockers in the NFL, notching a 80.8 grade since 2016. That’s good enought for 11th among interior offensive linemen. Daniels, who’s entering his third season, garnered respectable grades of 66.4 and 69.9 in his first two seasons.

As for the biggest question mark heading into the 2020 season, that’s easily the right guard spot vacated by Kyle Long. While Rashaad Coward occupied right guard after Long landed on injured reserve, the Bears brought in reinforcements in four-year starter Germain Ifedi to challenge for that starting job.

That leaves the right guard as the biggest question mark for the Bears, as Kyle Long has retired and projected starter Rashaad Coward ranked just 71st among 89 qualifying guards on his 660 snaps last season. Chicago signed Germain Ifedi, who had his struggles as the Seattle Seahawks’ starting right tackle the last four years, but he could compete for guard snaps with Coward.

When all is said and done, PFF believes that Chicago has the pieces to be a top 10-15 offensive line in the league. But it’ll take a collective effort from everyone involved. Which is exactly why Matt Nagy brought in new offensive line coach Juan Castillo to get them there.

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5 takeaways from Mitchell Trubisky’s offseason press conference

There was a lot to digest following Bears QB Mitchell Trubisky’s offseason press conference.

It’s been a long few months for Chicago Bears quarterback Mitchell Trubisky. Since the official league year began, he’s seen his team acquire quarterback Nick Foles from the Jacksonville Jaguars in a trade and decline his fifth-year option, ensuring 2020 is his final season under contract as a Bear.

Amidst this wild offseason, Trubisky has remained silent until Friday afternoon when he met reporters for a press conference. A lot came out of the media session and I had quite a few reactions to what he said about this upcoming season, as well as the 2019 season.

Here are my takeaways from Trubisky’s press conference.

1. Trubisky is mad – and that’s a good thing

Quinn Harris-USA TODAY Sports

I vividly remember hearing Trubisky’s phone call with general manager Ryan Pace and head coach John Fox back in 2017 when he was drafted. The Bears second-overall pick sounded like a little kid who was thrilled he was picked first for dodgeball in elementary school when Pace traded up to select him. Who could blame him? He had a wonderment to him, someone who felt a little green and saw nothing but potential in the pros.

Now, three years later, Trubisky appears to be hardened by the harshness of the NFL. He admits he was “pissed off” about the Foles trade, albeit in a good way, and knows his pro future hangs in the balance of the 2020 season after regressing in his third year. This is a side of Trubisky we really haven’t seen yet and it could bring out the best in him when practices begin again.

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Bears target QB, OT in new 2-round 2021 NFL mock draft

The 2020 NFL Draft just concluded over a month ago, but it’s never too early to start looking at 2021 mock drafts. Especially now that the Chicago Bears actually have a first-round pick for the first time in three years. At least, as of now. In …

The 2020 NFL Draft just concluded over a month ago, but it’s never too early to start looking at 2021 mock drafts. Especially now that the Chicago Bears actually have a first-round pick for the first time in three years. At least, as of now.

In Draft Wire‘s way-too-early 2021 NFL mock draft, Luke Easterling has the Bears targeting two specific offensive needs in quarterback and offensive tackle.

With Chicago’s first-round selection, Easterling has the Bears selecting Georgia quarterback Jamie Newman with the 14th overall pick. Newman is transferring from Wake Forest to Georgia, where his big-time arm and mobility should be fun to watch. Last year, Newman passed for 2,868 yards, 26 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.

Bears general manager Ryan Pace swung and missed with the selection of Mitchell Trubisky, who now finds himself in the middle of a quarterback competition with veteran Nick Foles. If Foles ends up winning the starting job, he could be the bridge quarterback until the Bears bring in a young potential franchise quarterback, perhaps Newman.

Then with the Bears’ second-round pick, Easterling has Chicago drafting Clemson offensive tackle Jackson Carman with the 46th overall pick. Carman took over as the starting left tackle in 2019, where he played 798 snaps on 15 starts for the Tigers.

Chicago is financially strapped to both left tackle Charles Leno Jr. and right tackle Bobby Massie through at least 2021. They’d be wise to get a top offensive tackle prospect like Carman to build for the future.

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Winners and losers of the Bears’ 2020 offseason

The Bears made some moves this offseason. Who benefited and who didn’t? Read on to see the list of winners and losers this offseason.

Barring any last-minute surprises, the Chicago Bears’ 2020 offseason has concluded when it comes to their signings, releases, and draft selections. General manager Ryan Pace has arguably had his busiest offseason, bringing in numerous veterans via free agency and trades while maneuvering through the 2020 NFL Draft to find the most impactful players.

But when it comes to the holdovers on the roster, who benefited from the moves and who didn’t?

Read on to see the list of winners and losers this offseason.

Winner: OLB Khalil Mack

Quinn Harris/Getty Images

Last season didn’t go as planned for Khalil Mack. Following an All-Pro season in 2018 where he sprinted out of the gates to torment opposing quarterbacks, Mack was relatively quiet in 2019. He still had 8.5 sacks and five forced fumbles, but he wasn’t able to change games like he had during the previous season. Perhaps it was due to the lack of production on the other side?

Enter outside linebacker Robert Quinn, one of the best pure edge rushers in the league. Quinn, who had 11.5 sacks for the Dallas Cowboys last season, signed a five-year, $70 million deal this offseason and replaces the ineffective Leonard Floyd. He immediately provides a boost on the opposite end of of the defensive line and should draw more attention than Floyd ever did, allowing Mack to return to dominating offensive tackles.

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5 things to know about new Bears OT Jason Spriggs

The Bears added depth at offensive tackle with the signing of Jason Spriggs. Get to know Chicago’s newest offensive lineman.

The Chicago Bears added depth to their offensive line with the addition of former second-round pick Jason Spriggs. Spriggs, who’s spent his career with the Packers, signed a one-year deal with Chicago on Friday.

While he certainly won’t be competing for a starting job, he’ll provide much-needed depth at a position that was a concern last season. While Spriggs hasn’t lived up to his second-round billing, perhaps new offensive line coach Juan Castillo can salvage some potential left in Spriggs.

Let’s get to know the Bears’ newest offensive lineman:

1. The Bears were interested in Spriggs in 2016 NFL Draft

Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel via USA TODAY NETWORK

It doesn’t seem like a coincidence that the Bears are taking a chance on Spriggs considering general manager Ryan Pace was interested in the former Indiana Hooiser in the 2016 NFL Draft.

The Bears were looking at drafting Spriggs, but Packers general manager Ted Thompson traded up to snag him before Chicago could with the 48th overall pick. Instead of getting Spriggs, the Bears traded back and drafted interior offensive lineman Cody Whitehair with the 56th overall pick.

Considering Spriggs hasn’t lived up to his second-round billing — and Whitehair has earned a second contract — the Bears certainly got the better end of the deal.

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Bears held pre-draft meeting with Louisiana-Lafayette OT Robert Hunt

Bears GM Ryan Pace figures to consider drafting an offensive lineman with one of Chicago’s 2nd-round picks.

The Chicago Bears have no shortage of roster needs heading into the 2020 NFL Draft, especially when it comes to the offensive side of the ball.

You figure general manager Ryan Pace will be considering drafting an offensive lineman with one of Chicago’s second-round picks. And they have certainly been doing their homework on offensive linemen.

The Bears recently held a pre-draft meeting with Louisiana-Lafayette offensive tackle Robert Hunt over FaceTime, according to Draft Wire’s Justin Melo.

While the Bears are financially committed to left tackle Charles Leno Jr. and right tackle Bobby Massie in 2020, this draft presents itself as a chance to build toward the future.

Hunt played most of his collegiate career at right tackle, and he’d be a great developmental player that could be groomed to replace Massie should Chicago decide to part ways with him.

But the Bears are also looking for a right guard, and CBS Sports’ Josh Edwards has mentioned that Hunt was garnering some interest as an interior lineman at the NFL Scouting Combine.

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Bears have met with Houston OT Josh Jones twice ahead of NFL Draft

The Bears are showing interest in Houston OT Josh Jones, who they’ve met with at least twice ahead of the 2020 NFL Draft.

There are no shortage of roster needs for the Chicago Bears, especially on the offensive side of the ball. But perhaps one of Chicago’s biggest concerns is the offensive line, which has questions at both guard and tackle.

Houston offensive tackle Josh Jones is someone the Bears appear to be interested in, as they’ve met with him at least twice ahead of the NFL Draft later this month.

Jones had a private visit with Chicago before the coronavirus outbreak, and he recently met with them through FaceTime, according to Draft Wire’s Justin Melo.

The Bears have addressed offensive line this offseason with the addition of new offensive line coach Juan Castillo, as well as the free-agent signing of Germain Ifedi. While Ifedi played right tackle most of his four-year NFL career, he figures to compete for the vacant right guard spot.

While Charles Leno Jr. and Bobby Massie will be the starters at left tackle and right tackle, respectively, their future beyond 2020 isn’t as certain. If the Bears decided to part ways with Leno next offseason, they’d save $6.2 million in cap space with a dead-cap hit of $5.1 million. For Massie, the Bears would save $5.4 million in cap space with $3.9 million in dead money.

If the Bears target an offensive tackle in the NFL Draft, they’ll be building for the future. Jones is considered one of the top offensive tackles in this year’s draft class. Jones played mostly at left tackle during his collegiate career, and he’d figure to be the heir apparent to Leno should the Bears decide to part ways with him.

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Ranking each Bears’ free agency class under Ryan Pace

Bears GM Ryan Pace has had major hits and huge misses in free agency. But how does each of his FA classes stack up against one another?

There’s no doubt that NFL free agency is one of the most exciting time of the year for football fans. It’s the first major opportunity for teams to find new talent, shuffle their roster, and make the necessary changes to contend for a playoff spot in the season to come.

However, while a free agency class can take a team to the next level, another can cripple them financially and pull them down to the bottom of the division. When it comes to the Chicago Bears and general manager Ryan Pace, they’ve experienced both situations.

Pace, now in his sixth season leading the Bears, has had major hits and huge misses in free agency. But how does each of his free agent classes stack up against one another? Below is a ranking from Pace’s worst to best free agent groups between 2015 and 2019.

5) 2017 free agent class

Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports

Key hits – CB Prince Amukamara

Key misses – QB Mike Glennon, S Quintin Demps, TE Dion Sims, WR Markus Wheaton

What a group, huh? When free agency officially opened, Pace inked Glennon, Demps and Sims to three-year deals right off the bat, possibly becoming one of the worst “big three” ever assembled in sports. Glennon, signed from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, was given the opportunity to start but only lasted four games before rookie quarterback and first-round selection Mitchell Trubisky took the reins.

Demps, meanwhile, truly only had one memorable play as a Bear which took place in week one when Atlanta Falcons tight end Austin Hooper stiff-armed the veteran to the ground on his way to an 88-yard score. Demps went on injured reserve just two weeks later. Both only lasted one season in Chicago.

Sims at least made it through two seasons, but was lackluster at best. Other signings such as receiver Markus Wheaton, who caught three more passes than I did for the Bears and cornerback Marcus Cooper, who’s most memorable moment in Chicago was showboating after an interception, turning a pick-six into a pick-three.

The only true standout from the class was cornerback Prince Amukamara, who was a consolation prize for the Bears after other corners such as A.J. Bouye and Stephon Gillmore spurned them for other teams. Amukamara became a solid starter for an eventual playoff team and turned his tryout into a bigger contract. But overall, this class was a colossal failure for Pace.

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