Tag: Rashaad Coward

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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Bears re-sign OL Rashaad Coward, TE J.P. Holtz to 1-year deals

The Bears have re-signed two exclusive-rights free agents in OL Rashaad Coward and TE J.P. Holtz.

The Chicago Bears announced Friday that they’ve re-signed offensive lineman Rashaad Coward and tight end J.P. Holtz to one-year deals.

Coward and Holtz were exclusive-rights free agents, which means that they had expiring contracts with fewer than three accrued NFL seasons and were only permitted to negotiate with their own team.

Both players saw playing time with the Bears last season due to injuries at tight end and offensive line.

The Bears lost their top three tight ends to injured reserve last season, which gave young players like Holtz an opportunity to step up. Holtz led a disappointing tight end group in receiving with 91 yards. His best performance came against the Cowboys, where he led the Bears with 56 receiving yards on three catches in Week 14 win.

Coward converted to offensive tackle in 2018, but he didn’t see any action that season. But Coward stepped in for an injured Kyle Long, who suffered a season-ending injury early-on last season. Coward started 10 contests for the Bears at right guard.

Coward will get a chance to compete for the starting right guard spot, where he’ll battle the likes of newcomer Germain Ifedi and Alex Bars.

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B/R believes Bears should target proven option at guard in Josh Kline

Ahead of the NFL Draft, the Bears could scour the remaining free agent market and add a quality veteran like OG Josh Kline.

With the 2020 NFL Draft less than two weeks away, the Chicago Bears are gearing up for what’s an important draft for general manager Ryan Pace.

Considering the Bears have just two picks in the first four rounds — both second rounders at 43 and 50 — Pace needs to make those two count. And with no shortage of roster needs, Pace has his work cut out for him.

But before the NFL Draft kicks off April 23, Bleacher Report has scoured the remaining free agent market, and they’ve pinpointed one player that each team should sign. For the Bears, that’s offensive guard Josh Kline.

Chicago figures to target a guard at some point in the draft, but it should add more veteran insurance beforehand. The Bears took a flier on Germain Ifedi in free agency, but he struggled to establish himself as a reliable starter throughout his four-year tenure with the Seattle Seahawks.

Josh Kline, on the other hand, has been a consistent starter for the past five seasons. Though he would represent a step down from a fully healthy Long, Kline would at least give Chicago a proven option.

Following Kyle Long’s retirement, the Bears have a starting right guard job up for grabs. Right now, it figures to be a three-way race between newcomer Germain Ifedi, Alex Bars and Rashaad Coward. It also wouldn’t be a surprise if Pace targets an interior offensive lineman in the NFL Draft later this month.

If the Bears wanted to add a proven veteran to the mix, Kline, a five-year starter, would be a good fit. While Chicago is also in need of a starting guard, they’re also searching for depth on the offensive line. Even if Kline didn’t win the starting job, he’d be good depth for the Bears at a position that had its share of injuries in 2019.

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Offensive line dubbed Bears’ biggest red flag heading into NFL Draft

Heading into the NFL Draft, there are no shortage of issues for the Bears on offense. But offensive line might be the biggest need.

When you have one of the NFL’s worst offenses, there’s not just one position that’s plaguing your team. As was the case for the Chicago Bears last season, who saw questionable play from quarterback, tight ends, offensive line and even play caller.

The Bears haven’t ignored those offensive flaws this offseason, as they’ve signed tight end Jimmy Graham and offensive lineman Germain Ifedi, as well as traded for Nick Foles. They even brought in four new offensive coaches that specialize in the areas of concern on offense.

But general manager Ryan Pace isn’t done, and he faces an incredibly important NFL Draft this month, once again without a first-round pick. But Pace does have a pair of second rounders, and there are no shortage of needs on offense — or even defense.

As for what is the Bears’ biggest issue headed into the NFL Draft, Bleacher Report believes that the offensive line needs to be addressed.

However, if the Bears are going to engineer a turnaround in 2020 under either Mitchell Trubisky or Nick Foles, something needs to be done about an offensive line that took a substantial step backward in 2019.

In 2018, the Bears struggled in run blocking (28th per Football Outsiders) but had a top-10 line in pass protection. A year ago, the pass pro also dropped way off—from seventh in 2018 to 21st in 2019.

While the Bears did add Ifedi, who’s expected to compete with Alex Bars and Rashaad Coward for the vacant starting right guard job, Chicago’s offensive line woes run deeper than guard.

Ultimately the Bears are financially strapped to their tackles for at least another season — with Charles Leno Jr. and Bobby Massie owed big pay days. But it wouldn’t hurt for Pace to look for a tackle for the future on an offensive line that had its share of issues last season.

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Germain Ifedi will compete for starting right guard job

The Bears see newly-acquired OL Germain Ifedi competing for the starting right guard job with Alex Bars and Rashaad Coward.

The Chicago Bears’ offensive line issues are well-documented. And it’s a unit that, after a strong 2018 campaign, faltered last season.

Couple that with veteran Kyle Long’s retirement, and there’s now a vacancy at right guard that the Bears are looking to fill.

They’re hoping that newly-acquired offensive lineman Germain Ifedi is the answer. Chicago signed the former first-round pick, who was a four-year starter with the Seattle Seahawks, to a low-risk, high-reward one-year deal where the hope is he can grow into a long-term starter on the Bears’ offensive line.

While Ifedi has served as a right tackle for the Seahawks over the past three seasons, he does have experience at right guard, which is where he played in his rookie season.

But Ifedi won’t just be handed the starting role. As is the theme for this year for Matt Nagy and the Bears, there will be competition at multiple positions this offseason. Right guard among them.

Ifedi will compete with Alex Bars, Rashaad Coward and presumably a rookie that the Bears could target in the NFL Draft later this month.

The Bears have plenty of issues to fix on offense this offseason, offensive line among them. While finding the starting right guard won’t magically cure the rest of the unit’s struggles, Chicago is banking on the addition of offensive line coach Juan Castillo to right the ship.

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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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5 candidates to replace Kyle Long at right guard

The Bears will have a new starting right guard in 2020 following Kyle Long’s announcement he’s stepping away the NFL. Who could replace him?

For the last seven years, the Bears have entered the offseason with no question about who their right guard would be come the start of the season.

But following Kyle Long’s announcement that he will be stepping away from the Bears and the NFL, the Bears will need to fill that spot at right guard on an offensive line that will be under new management in Juan Castillo, who was hired to replace Harry Hiestand as offensive line coach.

There are different routes the Bears could turn to replace Long — including in-house, free agency or even the NFL Draft.

Here are five candidates that could take over for Long at right guard in 2020:

1. Alex Bars

Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports

Under contract, Chicago Bears

The popular candidate to replace Long at right guard is rookie offensive lineman Alex Bars, who the Bears fought hard to keep in Chicago. The Bears paid Bars more money to remain on their practice squad — rather than him choosing to join the Patriots active roster.

Bars was promoted to the active roster on Oct. 15, although he didn’t get any significant reps in the final half of the season. Still, the Bears clearly have plans for Bars, and you’d have to believe it involves giving him a chance to win the starting right guard job in training camp.

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Bears Week 17 Inactives: Rashaad Coward, Bobby Massie out vs. Vikings

The Bears have released their list of inactives ahead of today’s season finale against the Vikings, and there are no real surprises.

The Chicago Bears have released their list of inactives ahead of today’s season finale against the Minnesota Vikings.

There aren’t any real surprises. Defensive tackle Akiem Hicks and nose tackle Eddie Goldman were previously ruled out, as was wide receiver Taylor Gabriel.

But cornerback Prince Amukamara, who was questionable ahead of today’s game, is officially active. Amukamara’s future in Chicago could be in question, but he figures to once again split reps with second-year cornerback Kevin Toliver, who could take his job next year.

Right guard Rashaad Coward was downgraded to out Saturday while right tackle Bobby Massie has been ruled out. With Coward and Massie both out, the Bears could get a good look at rookie offensive lineman Alex Bars, who figures to line up at right guard if he gets playing time. If not, Ted Larsen will get the start at right guard for the injured Coward.

Here’s a look at the full list of Bears inactives:

It was previously reported that the Vikings were expected to rest some of their starters, including quarterback Kirk Cousins. While Cousins is active, he figures to serve as Sean Mannion’s backup today.

The Bears and Vikings kick things off at noon CT on FOX.

With Rashaad Coward ruled out, could we see Alex Bars vs. Vikings?

With Bears OL Rashaad Coward ruled out, rookie OL Alex Bars could get some significant playing time against the Vikings.

The Bears’ season finale could provide some opportunities to get a look at some of the younger players.

Now that the Bears have ruled out right guard Rashaad Coward for Sunday’s game against the Vikings, it could open the door for rookie offensive lineman Alex Bars to see some significant playing action.

Given that there’s nothing left for the Bears to play for other than pride, this season finale provides an opportunity for some younger guys to get some valuable reps headed into the offseason.

Bars is a player that the Bears have been particularly high on since signing him as an undrafted free agent this offseason, and they signed him to their practice squad.

When the Patriots came knocking — wanting to sign Bars to their active roster — Bars declined the offer to remain on the Bears’ practice squad, where Chicago had paid him more money to remain with the team.

He definitely looks to be part of the Bears’ plans for the future, especially with right guard Kyle Long’s future in doubt beyond 2019. And perhaps we’ll see him get some significant playing time against Minnesota.

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Prince Amukamara questionable, Akiem Hicks, Eddie Goldman out vs. Vikings

The Bears released their final injury report ahead of Sunday’s game vs. Vikings, and several starters are out or doubtful.

The Bears released their final injury report ahead of the game against the Vikings, where several starters are out or in doubt for Sunday.

Defensive tackle Akiem Hicks (elbow) did not practice all week, and he’s been ruled out against Minnesota. Hicks finishes the 2019 season with five starts, after dealing with an elbow injury that landed him on injured reserve for eight weeks.

Nose tackle Eddie Goldman remains in concussion protocol after sustaining one in last week’s game against the Chiefs.

On the offensive line, Bobby Massie was limited in practice for the first time since suffering a high ankle sprain against the Giants in Week 12. But Massie is listed as doubtful for Sunday’s game, as is right guard Rashaad Coward, who suffered a knee injury last week against Kansas City. This could open the door for rookie Alex Bars to play at right guard in Chicago’s season finale.

Cornerback Prince Amukamara was limited for the second straight practice, and he is listed as questionable against the Vikings. Amukamara’s future in Chicago is cloudy, especially considering second-year cornerback Kevin Toliver has impressed in the short time he’s been on the field this season. If Amukamara can’t go, look for Toliver to get the start. Even if Amukamara plays, look for him to split reps with Toliver.

The Bears and Vikings kick things off at noon CT on FOX.