Chicago Bears News: Kyle Long ready to change culture
Chicago Bears starting right guard Kyle Long is ready to change the losing culture in the Bears’ locker room.
Chicago Bears starting right guard Kyle Long has quickly become one of the leaders in the Bears’ locker room.
Long was drafted by the Bears in the first round of the 2013 NFL Draft. With his performance on the field and demeanor on the sideline, Long has quickly ascended into a leadership role within in the Bears’ locker room.
Long, however, took to Twitter on Friday to express his thoughts on leadership and changing the culture in the Bears’ locker room.
Some leaders blame their subordinates for blue on blue. The leader is truly + ultimately responsible for everything. That is ext ownership
— kyle (@Ky1eLong) March 31, 2017
The best leaders don't take resp for only their job, but everything in the op that involves success. #1 characteristic of any High Op team
— kyle (@Ky1eLong) March 31, 2017
I have allowed a 3-13 culture to creep into the locker room. I'm sorry for that. I will alongside other senior leaders see success through.
— kyle (@Ky1eLong) March 31, 2017
When I came to the Bears we had leaders and alphas. We have continually had good players, we have looked for folks to step up. That's on me
— kyle (@Ky1eLong) March 31, 2017
I need to step up, take my responsibilities seriously - and mentor the younger team members to expedite the learning curve.
— kyle (@Ky1eLong) March 31, 2017
Too often I apologized to my team in positional meetings the last two years. It haunts me, that feeling in the film room. In front of peers
— kyle (@Ky1eLong) March 31, 2017
I don't think I've ever said that in those words. But I'm done sweeping it under the rug. If my team is reading this, they know what I mean.
— kyle (@Ky1eLong) March 31, 2017
Props to Kyle Long.
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One of the reasons why Long has not only become a leader but a fan favorite is because he gives off the impression of a no-nonsense type of player. Long knows that there is a time for fun and there is a time for business. However, when the Bears have only won 9 games in the past two seasons, there is a need for change.
The Bears’ front office has done their part in terms of inciting change as they lead the league in free agent signings this off-season. But, there also needs to be a change within the locker room. Over the course of recent seasons, the Bears locker room was filled with players that either did not seem to care or had other interests beyond football. That’s not to say that players are not allowed to have outside interests but those interests should not interfere with the overall operations of the team.
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With Kyle Long serving as the new leader, the Chicago Bears locker room appears to be headed in the right direction. The only question is will the change of culture in the locker room lead to a change of the team’s recent losing ways.