Tag: Jimbo Covert

Bears go offensive line with top 10 pick for the first time since 1983

The last time the Bears selected an offensive lineman in the top 10 of the NFL Draft, they became a Hall of Famer.

For years, the Chicago Bears have neglected the offensive line early on in the NFL Draft. They took swings at some players in the first round within the last two decades, such as Marc Colombo in 2002, Chris Williams in 2008, Gabe Carimi in 2011, and Kyle Long in 2013. Long was the only player to pan out while the other three were busts in the navy and orange. But they were also players mostly picked later in the first round.

That changed with the selection of Tennessee tackle Darnell Wright with the No. 10 overall pick. The Bears traded down one spot with the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for a 2024 fourth-round pick and still got their guy in Wright, who projects to be the team’s starting right tackle almost immediately.

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You have to go back 40 years to 1983 to find the last time the Bears spent a top 10 pick on an offensive lineman. That was where they selected Hall of Fame tackle Jimbo Covert with the No. 6 overall pick in what turned out to be a loaded draft class.

Covert was a key player during the Bears’ dominant run in the 1980s. He made multiple Pro Bowls and helped pave running lanes for legendary running back Walter Payton while giving Jim McMahon enough time in the pocket to make plays downfield. Covert helped the Bears win Super Bowl XX and was elected to the Hall of Fame in 2020.

Nov 20, 1988; Tampa, FL, USA; Chicago Bears tackle Jimbo Covert (74) in action against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Tampa Stadium. FILE PHOTO; Mandatory Credit: USA TODAY Sports

The Bears sought a solution to help their new franchise quarterback in McMahon (selected one year earlier) stay upright. Covert played left tackle and the offense improved each season he was on the team. They invested in their valuable offensive players and it led to success the Bears haven’t come close to seeing since. Now the 2023 Bears are doing the same thing, drafting one of the top offensive tackles in the draft to help protect Justin Fields.

This certainly isn’t to say Chicago just drafted a future Hall of Fame tackle or that they’ll go on to win the Super Bowl in a couple of years. But the offense improved considerably when top resources went to the offensive line back in the 1980s. For one reason or another, the Bears neglected to spend a top-10 pick on that position over the years, despite having ample opportunities while passing up elite talent that was still on the board. They took a swing this time and the hope is Wright pays dividends for not only Fields, but the rest of the offense as whole.

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5 things to know about new Bears OT Darnell Wright

From his dominant outing against Will Anderson to making Bears draft history, here are five things to know about new OT Darnell Wright.

The Chicago Bears have a new offensive lineman on the roster. They selected Tennessee offensive tackle Darnell Wright with the No. 10 overall pick, trading down one spot from the No. 9 spot with the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for a 2024 fourth-round draft pick.

Wright immediately fills a need at right tackle, where he spent during the 2022 season with the Volunteers. Wright is a powerful blocker who can drive defenders off their assignment with ease and should make life easier for quarterback Justin Fields after he was sacked 91 times over his first couple of years in the league. It’s general manager Ryan Poles’ first major addition to the offensive line since he was hired last offseason.

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Here are five things to know about the Bears newest draft pick.

Matt Suhey will introduce Bears Hall of Famer Jimbo Covert

Jimbo Covert chose former Bears running back Matt Suhey to introduce him into the Hall of Fame, as a way to also honor Walter Payton.

No one has more Hall of Famers than the Chicago Bears. And they’re going to gain two more members this year.

Offensive lineman Jimbo Covert and defensive end/linebacker Ed Sprinkle are among 10 senior inductees — all of whom last played in the NFL more than 25 years ago — that will be inducted into the 2020 Pro Football Hall of Fame.

To celebrate the league’s storied 100-year history, the Pro Football Hall of Fame will feature a special centennial class, which features 20 inductees. Ten of those are senior inductees.

“I’ve been on Cloud Nine for two weeks,” Covert told the Sun-Times. “It’s been a lot of fun. Phone calls, texts—it’s been really cool.”

Covert, the sixth overall pick the 1983 NFL Draft, was a cornerstone of a Bears offensive line that led the NFL in rushing for four consecutive seasons from 1983-1986 with all-time great Walter Payton. Covert played his entire nine-year career with the Bears, during which he was a two-time All-Pro selection, a member of the NFL’s 1980s All-Decade Team and a Super Bowl XX champion.

While Covert has already been involved with the creation of his Hall of Fame bust, he also made the decision to reach out to a former teammate to introduce him at his induction.

Covert chose former Bears running back Matt Suhey to introduce him, as a way to honor another teammate.

“I think it’s appropriate,” Covert said. “Him and Walter [Payton] were such good friends, and it feels like both of them are going to do it together. It’s a great thing.”

With the additions of Covert and Sprinkle, the Bears have 30 Hall of Famers, which continues to be the most in NFL history.

Jimbo Covert, Ed Sprinkle among 20 senior candidates vying for induction into 2020 Hall of Fame

Former Bears greats OT Jimbo Covert and DE Ed Sprinkle are among 20 senior nominees eligible for one of 10 spots in the 2020 Hall of Fame.

Two Chicago Bears greats have a chance to reach the ultimate accomplishment in the NFL — the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

With the NFL celebrating its 100th season, the Hall of Fame will have a centennial 20-member Class of 2020. Offensive tackle Jimbo Covert and defensive end Ed Sprinkle are among 20 senior nominees eligible for one of 10 spots in the Hall of Fame.

The senior candidates, who played more than 25 years ago compared to the modern era candidates, were narrowed down from a group of 300 nominees.

Dan Pompei, who is the Chicago representative on the selection committee, will present Covert and Sprinkle to the voters.

Covert, a former sixth overall pick in 1983, spent his entire career with the Bears from 1983-91. He was a two-time first-team All-Pro, who helped the Bears win a Super Bowl, one conference championship and six division championships. Covert was also a member of the NFL All-Decade Team for the 1980s.

Sprinkle, who played his entire career with the Bears from 1944-55, helped lead the Bears to an NFL championship in 1946. He was a four-time Pro Bowler and a member of the NFL’s All-Decade Team for the 1940s.

The 10 senior candidates voted into the Hall of Fame Class of 2020 will be announced on Good Morning Football on Wednesday, Jan. 15 on NFL Network.

The Modern-Era players, as well as contributors and coaches, will be enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Saturday, Aug. 8. The 10 seniors will be inducted in a Centennial Celebration on Sept. 16-19, 2020.

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