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Chicago Bears: 5 most important players for long-term success of the franchise

By Dan Schmelzer

May 12, 2017; Lake Forest, IL, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Mitch Trubisky (10) works out during rookie minicamp at Halas Hall. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports
May 12, 2017; Lake Forest, IL, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Mitch Trubisky (10) works out during rookie minicamp at Halas Hall. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports /
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Kyle Long Chicago Bears
Nov 9, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; Chicago Bears tackle Kyle Long (75) reacts during a 22-19 victory against the San Diego Chargers in an NFL football game at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Kyle Long, OL

The Chicago Bears have an interesting mix of players on the offensive line. Their interior offensive line trio of Josh Sitton, Cody Whitehair and Kyle Long can undoubtedly be elite when healthy. However, their starting offensive tackle duo of Charles Leno Jr. and Bobby Massie leaves plenty to be desired.

If we are being honest, when the Bears are ready to compete, only two of these offensive linemen are likely to be around. Whitehair obviously has a bright future at the center position after a strong rookie season and of course, there is Kyle Long.

Long, in particular, stands out as a key long-term piece.

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A surprising first round selection by the Bears (20th overall) in the 2013 NFL Draft, Long has been an extremely important piece of the roster in recent years. The former Oregon Duck came in and immediately dominated as the Bears’ starting right guard as a rookie and was named to his first of three consecutive Pro Bowl appearances.

Long played right tackle for the Bears during the 2015 season and the results were mixed. Long was not as dominant at tackle but he really started to show some promise late in the season. Despite that, the Bears moved him back to right guard for the 2016 season, and he went back to dominating before missing the last half of the season due to a severe ankle injury.

Early news around Bears OTAs has the team moving Long to left guard for the 2017 season. On the surface, this seems like an odd move. However, Da Windy City’s own Khari Thompson suggests that this could be a move to prepare Long for an eventual move to left tackle.

This is an idea that makes a ton of sense in my eyes. Long has always shown the elite-level athleticism to play left tackle. He moves extremely well for an offensive lineman and would theoretically thrive at the most important position up front. Moving Long to left guard first to get him acclimated to the left side would certainly make a ton of sense.

No matter how you look at it, Kyle Long is an elite offensive lineman with a ton of long-term value. He is already an extremely important part of their offense and only becomes more valuable if the team moves him to left tackle not too far down the line.

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