Chicago Bears: Offensive line just got even better

The Chicago Bears offensive line was a strength last year and it just got even better.

Last season the Chicago Bears offense rode behind an offensive line that was one of the team’s greatest strengths.

This was somewhat of a surprise as the offensive line at historically (at least in recent memory) been a bit of a trouble spot for the team. Injuries have wreaked havoc with the unit over the last few seasons prior to 2018 and it was almost impossible for them to build any continuity.

However, last year they were rock solid, providing outstanding protection for Mitchell Trubisky. Their run blocking could stand to improve some, and a reported tweak to the composition of the line may help them accomplish that.

For a large portion of last offseason and even for part of the regular season, there was a strong contingent of fans who wanted rookie James Daniels to take over at center for Cody Whitehair. Cody had his struggles snapping the football early on. To his credit, he worked hard at it and it really wasn’t an issue for most of the year.

Moreover, the center has an incredible amount of pre-snap responsibility which requires a mastery of the offense. It appears there was not enough confidence that Daniels knew the offense in depth enough to flourish at his natural position of center.

With a full season under his belt, it appears Matt Nagy and the Bears are ready to turn things over to Daniels who will reportedly take over the center duties, allowing Whitehair to move back to his more natural position of guard.

Not only does this move get each player back to their more natural position where they are more comfortable, but it also enables the Bears to take advantage of Daniels’ insane athleticism.

That athleticism will allow Daniels to pull with relative ease. It will also enable him to quickly disengage his initial assignment and get to the second-level which should help the run game tremendously.

On the flip side, it will allow Whitehair to get back to what he does so well as a guard. Although he made the Pro Bowl last year as a center, his natural fit is at guard — so if he was able to perform at a Pro Bowl level out of position, imagine what he’ll do back at his natural position.