Alex Bars
In evaluating what the Bears did this offseason, there have been a few players who have been described as “steals.” Whether it was Riley Ridley in the fourth round of the NFL Draft or Emmanuel Hall as an undrafted free agent, the team is thought to have gotten great value out of their rookie additions.
However, one player that rarely gets mentioned in that same breath, but could end up being just as big of a steal, is offensive lineman Alex Bars out of the University of Notre Dame. The same school that produced recent rookie sensations Quenton Nelson and Mike McGlinchey. It’s also the same school from which Bears’ offensive line coach Harry Hiestand came.
Hiestand and Bars crossed paths at Notre Dame, so one would have to assume the master evaluator and coach of offensive linemen had something to do with him signing as an undrafted free agent. But it wasn’t just a connection — Bars is an extremely talented player.
"A fully healthy Alex Bars would have likely been a late Day 2/early Day 3 prospect." - @PFF_Mike on the #Bears undrafted free agent with a legitimate shot at the 53-man roster
— PFF CHI Bears (@PFF_Bears) July 9, 2019
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It would seem that his draft stock was significantly impacted by injuries. However, a fully healthy Bars would be a terrific addition to the offensive line not just as depth for next year in case of injury, but as a future starter in a couple of years when other players’ contracts expire.