Chicago Bears: Could Kyle Long be on his way to left tackle in the future?
Could the Chicago Bears be preparing Kyle Long to play left tackle by trying him first at left guard?
When reports surfaced that the Chicago Bears may switch Kyle Long’s position once again, two thoughts likely crossed Bears fans’ minds. First, most probably thought for sure they were going to move him to tackle. And next, after reading further: “what’s the point of switching him from right to left guard? Aren’t he and Josh Sitton fine where they’re at?”
John Fox will probably explain the reasoning when Long is healthy and ready to take the field. But perhaps there’s another hidden reason: might the Bears be preparing Long for the possibility of playing left tackle?
What’s with the Switch?
On its own, swapping Long and Sitton at the guard seems not to be necessary. And it’s not because they have no experience at those respective positions. In fact, Long started his lone college season at left guard. Similarly, Sitton played his first five NFL seasons at right guard, only moving to left guard after 2012.
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Strategically, more physical, “mauling” guards tend to play on the right, as most offenses favor their right side. Long’s strength and aggression landed him at right guard in the NFL despite playing at left guard in college. On the flip side, Sitton, who is viewed as the more finesse guard of the two, moved from right to left when T.J. Lang, a more physical guard, arrived in Green Bay. As such, swapping them from their seemingly more natural guard spots looks like an odd move.
Future at Left Tackle?
However, a move to the left side makes sense if the Bears eventually want Long to end up at left tackle. Despite his struggles in 2015 at right tackle, Long is still a good enough player to succeed outside.
His athleticism, when healthy, certainly projects as a tackle, and he grew into the role as 2015 progressed. Ultimately, when Bobby Massie became available in free agency in 2016, the Bears got an experienced tackle and felt Long would fit better back at guard.
With increased interior line depth, the Bears may feel they can pursue playing Long at tackle once again. Sitton’s a Pro Bowl player who spent his first five seasons at right guard. Cody Whitehair, while likely to stay at center barring unforeseen issues, was an excellent guard in college. And the Bears just drafted Jordan Morgan, who projects as a guard when, and if, he’s ready for NFL action.
With Charles Leno Jr. still entrenched at left tackle, Long can adjust to playing on the left side of the line without being thrust into the fire. For one thing, moving from the right to the left side requires a different stance and different footwork. Learning at left guard, where he has experience, makes more sense than putting him immediately at the line’s toughest position.
Next: Will the Chicago Bears have Kyle Long switch positions again?
Obviously, this wouldn’t happen this year. Leno remains the Bears’ left tackle, and he can still grow into that role. But if the Bears decide to move on from Leno, Long, rather than a rookie or free agent, could serve as their contingency plan. Get him comfortable playing on the left guard, then slide him to tackle when they deem the time right.