Chicago Bears Monthly Mailbag: Offensive line, trade deadline, and more

2. Who should start at right guard?

It’s a bit of both actually Both could have a similar impact but between Rashaad Coward and Ted Larsen, both are unique in the sense that they bring something to the right guard position that the other guy doesn’t.

At this point, I’d rather go with Coward because there are multiple advantages by starting Coward that the Bears simply won’t have by starting Larsen. First, Coward will be 25 years old in November. He’s a young guy with upside that can develop into a long-term starter.

The one advantage that Larsen presents is veteran experience. With Larsen, you’re getting a guy who’s started more than 80 games since entering the NFL in 2010. While that is good we need to keep in mind that Larsen has spent the first half of the 2019 regular season rehabbing a knee injury.

Last season, as a member of the Miami Dolphins, Larsen started in 13 games but he really wasn’t a household name on the Dolphins offensive line. While his veteran experience is valuable, it won’t do much for the Bears long-term.

The thought process behind starting Coward is knowing he could be a long-term starter in 2020. Coward brings the attitude needed to spark the Bears offensive line and by allowing him to start the next 11 games and seeing him progress, the Bears won’t have to use any draft capital or financial resources during the 2020 offseason in order to address the right guard position.