Tag: Michael Schofield

Bears O-Line Watch: Breaking down Day 1 of training camp

We’re breaking down the Bears offensive line after the first practice of training camp.

The Chicago Bears have kicked off training camp, and there are plenty of storylines we’re monitoring this summer.

One of the biggest is the offensive line — specifically, what will the starting combination look like? And how quickly are they going to figure that out?

Head coach Matt Eberflus reiterated that all starting combinations are open heading into training camp. Although it certainly appears that things are becoming clearer following the additions of veterans Riley Reiff and Michael Schofield earlier this week.

“We have to keep an open mind into the best combination, the best five, and the best three guys after that,” Eberflus said. “So it’s important that we keep an open mind.”

Things should start to become clearer when the pads come on for the first time during next Monday’s practice.

Here’s a look at how the offensive line shook out during the first practice of training camp on Wednesday, focusing on the battles at the tackle and right guard positions.

12 takeaways from first practice at Bears training camp

The Bears held their first practice of training camp on Wednesday. Here’s what we learned from Day 1:

The Chicago Bears hit the practice field for the first time during training camp on Wednesday, which kicked off a new era of Bears football under a new regime.

It was a closed, ramp-up practice for the team. But there was plenty of action at Halas Hall, including the monitoring of some important position battles on offense and defense.

There was plenty to digest from practice and press conferences with head coach Matt Eberflus, defensive end Robert Quinn, receiver N’Keal Harry and offensive linemen Riley Reiff and Michael Scofield.

Following Wednesday’s practice, here’s a look at what we learned from the first day of Bears training camp:

What the Bears’ starting offensive line looked like on Day 1 of training camp

The Bears wrapped their first practice of training camp. Here’s how the starting offensive line combination looked on Day 1.

The Chicago Bears kicked off training camp with their first practice of the summer, which was closed to the public. But with media in attendance, we got a first glimpse of the offensive line at camp.

According to Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune, the starting offensive line during the team drills was the same that it was during mandatory minicamp: LT Braxton Jones; LG Cody Whitehair; C Lucas Patrick; RG Sam Mustipher; RT Larry Borom.

Following the additions of veterans Riley Reiff and Michael Schofield over the last two days, there’s a belief that both are favorites to start at left tackle and right guard, respectively. Both were limited during Wednesday’s practice as they get brought up to speed, and it’s nothing to worry about in the long run.

While Reiff did get some work with the starters during individual drills, it was Jones at left tackle during team drills. Borom and Teven Jenkins, who are competing for the right tackle job, split reps. But it was Borom at right tackle during the team drill. Jenkins was a rotational tackle during practice.

Following practice, Bears head coach Matt Eberflus reiterated that all offensive line combinations are open as the team kicks off training camp. But given the recent additions of Reiff and Schofield, we have an idea of how this story might end.

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Bears GM Ryan Poles improved offensive line for bargain price

The Bears added two likely starters on the offensive line in Riley Reiff and Michael Schofield for less than $4 million in cap space.

The Chicago Bears made a huge improvement to their offensive line ahead of training camp with the additions of tackle Riley Reiff and guard Michael Schofield.

General manager Ryan Poles might not be getting the credit he deserves for how he improved the offensive line with the Reiff and Schofield additions, specifically when it comes to their impact on the salary cap in 2022.

According to ESPN’s Field Yates, Reiff’s one-year deal, worth up to $12.5 million, is structured in a way where it will count just $3 million against the salary cap. Schofield gets a veteran salary benefit deal, which clocks in under $1 million.

That means Chicago added two likely starters on the offensive line for less than $4 million in cap space, which is an absolute bargain for the first-time GM.

Both Reiff and Schofield are the favorites at left tackle and right guard, respectively, which would address a couple of big questions on the offensive line.

Here’s what the Bears starting offensive line is shaping up to be: LT Riley Reiff; LG Cody Whitehair; C Lucas Patrick; RG Michael Schofield; RT Larry Borom/Teven Jenkins.

That leaves an important battle at the right tackle position between Borom and Jenkins. But the good news — especially for Justin Fields — is the offensive line is a heck of a lot better now than it was three days ago.

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Bear Necessities: How the offensive line significantly improved in the last two days

In two days, GM Ryan Poles drastically improved the Bears offensive line with the additions of Riley Reiff and Michael Schofield.

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With the development of second-year quarterback Justin Fields of utmost importance, having a dependable offensive line is paramount to his success. So there was obvious concern surrounding the offensive line with questions at the starting right guard and both tackle positions.

But in two days, general manager Ryan Poles drastically improved Chicago’s offensive line with two moves ahead of training camp. The Bears signed tackle Riley Reiff and guard Michael Schofield to one-year deals, and there’s no denying that they provide an upgrade at their respective positions.

It’s not necessarily a long-term answer for the offensive line. But considering the state of the roster, it certainly helps to bring in two experienced veteran starters to help protect the team’s hopeful franchise quarterback.

The additions of Reiff and Schofield should paint a clearer picture of what we can expect this offensive line to look like. Reiff should be the starter at left tackle, Schofield should start at right guard while Cody Whitehair and Lucas Patrick fill the left guard and center roles. That leaves the right tackle spot up for grabs, in what should be a battle between last year’s rookie offensive linemen Larry Borom and Teven Jenkins.

But nothing’s official until it’s confirmed. Head coach Matt Eberflus said there’s no timeline for the starting offensive line combination, although they’d prefer to have it locked down as soon as possible.

“There’s not a deadline,” Eberflus said. “But like I said in the spring, the sooner the better. We just added a couple of pieces. So that’s going to be two more pieces to the puzzle.”

I guess you could say Reiff and Schofield are the missing puzzle pieces.

10 takeaways from report day at Bears training camp

The Bears officially reported to training camp on Tuesday. Here’s what we learned from Ryan Poles, Matt Eberflus, Justin Fields and others.

The Chicago Bears reported to training camp at Halas Hall on Tuesday, which included the arrivals of linebacker Roquan Smith, defensive end Robert Quinn and newly-signed rookie safety Jaquan Brisker.

General manager Ryan Poles, head coach Matt Eberflus and several players, including quarterback Justin Fields, met with the media to field questions ahead of the start of camp.

There was plenty to digest from those press conferences, including discussion about Smith’s contract holdout, an improved offensive line and Poles’ evaluation of Fields heading into the summer.

As the Bears report to training camp, here’s what we learned before they hit the practice field on Wednesday.

Updated look at Bears offensive line depth after Michael Schofield signing

The Bears have signed Michael Schofield. Here’s a look at where Chicago’s offensive line depth stands.

The Bears addressed a huge need along the interior of the offensive line with the addition of veteran Michael Schofield, the team announced ahead of the start of training camp.

The offensive line has several concerns heading into the season, including who will be starting at the tackle positions. But right guard was easily the biggest weakness on the line.

With Schofield joining the roster, he figures to be the favorite to start at right guard in 2022. He’ll be competing against Sam Mustipher, who was the starter at right guard for most of the offseason program.

Following the addition of Schofield, here’s a look at the Bears’ offensive line depth:

Twitter reacts to the Bears signing OL Michael Schofield

The Bears are reportedly signing Michael Schofield, who’s the clear favorite at right guard. Here’s how fans are reacting to the move.

The Chicago Bears got better along the interior of the offensive line with the addition of Michael Schofield, who is signing with the team per Kevin Fishbain of The Athletic.

Schofield, who worked out for the Bears on Sunday, comes to Chicago with experience playing multiple positions along the offensive line. But he figures to be your starter at right guard heading into the 2022 season.

In his seven-year career, Schofield has started 81 regular season games, where he’s seen time at right guard and right tackle. But he’s played primarily at right guard, which is good news for a team like the Bears who had a gaping hole to fill at the position.

As you can imagine, Bears Twitter had plenty to say about the move. The overall reaction has been positive considering it filled the most pressing need along the offensive line. Now, it’s a matter of who the starting offensive tackles will be this season.

Here’s how Twitter is reacting to the Schofield signing:

Report: Bears are signing OL Michael Schofield

According to Kevin Fishbain of The Athletic, the Bears are signing Michael Schofield, who is the favorite to start at right guard.

The Chicago Bears have added some much-needed within the interior of the offensive line with the signing of veteran Michael Schofield, according to Kevin Fishbain of The Athletic.

The Bears hosted Schofield for a workout on Sunday.

Schofield has started 81 regular season games during his seven-year tenure, where he’s seen time at multiple positions along the offensive line. But he’s played right guard for most of his career, which makes sense for a team like the Bears with a gaping hole at right guard.

In 2021, Schofield played in 15 games with 12 starts for the Los Angeles Chargers.

The Bears had a glaring hole at the right guard position following the departure of James Daniels in free agency. Sam Mustipher and newcomer Dakota Dozier were battling for the starting job this offseason before Dozier landed on injured reserve.

Schofield figures to be the favorite to start at right guard this season for the Bears, and he brings some stability to the interior of the offensive line.

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Chargers PFF grades: Best, worst performers in Week 18 loss to Raiders

Spotlighting Pro Football Focus’ highest and lowest graded Chargers players from the loss to the Raiders.

On Sunday, the Chargers’ season came to an end after losing to the Raiders.

Along the way, some players performed well, and there were a few who struggled.

With that being said, here are the best and worst performers from the Week 18 contest, according to Pro Football Focus player grades.

Note: To be more accurate, this is based on players who played at least 30% of the snaps on offense (93) or defense (80).

Top 5 Offense

QB Justin Herbert – 78.8

WR Mike Williams – 78.7

C Corey Linsley – 73.6

OT Rashawn Slater – 67.7

OL Michael Schofield – 65.4

Top 5 Defense

S Nasir Adderley – 87.0

LB Kyzir White – 79.4

S Alohi Gilman – 72.4

S Derwin James – 72.2

NT Linval Joseph – 69.9

Bottom 5 Offense

RB Austin Ekeler – 58.5

WR Keenan Allen – 56.3

OL Matt Feiler -53.2

TE Stephen Anderson – 47.6

OT Storm Norton – 43.3

Bottom 5 Defense

DT Christian Covington – 51.4

CB Chris Harris Jr. – 47.8

EDGE Joey Bosa – 47.0

DT Jerry Tillery – 42.6

LB Kenneth Murray – 28.9