Bears vs. Lions: Offensive line woes are a major concern

(Photo by Nuccio DiNuzzo/Getty Images)
(Photo by Nuccio DiNuzzo/Getty Images) /
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The Chicago Bears managed to snap their four-game losing streak on Sunday with a 20-13 win over the Detroit Lions. Despite getting the win, the team’s offensive line appears to be getting worse.

The Chicago Bears were able to hang on for a 20-13 win against the Detroit Lions on Sunday, but there were some glaring issues for a team that hasn’t looked confident all season. One issue that appears to be getting worse is this team’s offensive line.

It’s worth noting that guard Kyle Long, considered by many to be the leader of this line, is out for the season with a hip injury. The Bears placed him on IR earlier this year after he struggled in the games he was able to suit up for.

Long’s time in Chicago is likely over as he’s a free agent next season, but his absence alone can’t explain the continuously underwhelming play by the rest of this team’s offensive line. After having difficulty blocking a depleted Lions defense Sunday, it’s clear this line is regressing.

This team recently gave out big contracts to two offensive linemen who are now struggling. Tackle Bobby Massie signed a five-year, $40 million deal in the offseason. He’s in the top five of pay for right tackles in the NFL.

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Charles Leno Jr. signed a four-year, $38 million extension in 2017. He restructured some of that money this offseason to help the team. Still, he’s not playing like up to his potential. Leno made the Pro Bowl in 2017 and was considered a franchise tackle.

Both Leno and Massie are struggling with penalties and giving up sacks. While there’s been plenty of reason to blame quarterback Mitch Trubisky this season, the blockers in front of him are doing him few favors.

The Lions came into Sunday having recorded 14 sacks over eight games. The Bears gave up five sacks against a Lions team that was missing multiple starters on defense. That’s not good enough in a game that should’ve been an easy win.

Trubisky played a lot better on Sunday than he had during the team’s four-game losing streak. But a lot of his mistakes and early struggles were made worse by an offensive line that couldn’t give him time in the pocket and were taking stupid penalties.

Massie gave up on pass blocking on this embarrassing sack in the first quarter. But the interior of the line also struggled early in the game as guard Cody Whitehair missed a block and allowed an easy sack on this play:

Whitehair is another lineman who got rewarded with an extension this offseason. He signed a five-year, $52 million deal in September. While Whitehair hasn’t struggled as much as his counterparts, it’s concerning that so many of these guys just got big money.

The Bears won’t be benching any of these guys any time soon, and nor should they. There’s no one on the bench that’s better than who’s out there blocking for Trubisky now. The team doesn’t have more money to spend to bring in a top offensive lineman this offseason.

As for the draft, the Bears have two second-round picks and no firsts in 2020. One of those second-rounders may very well go towards drafting a quarterback, but the team would be wise to look to improve their offensive line as well.

The Bears need to figure out their blocking issues as the offense will need to put up points in the team’s next two games. The Bears take on the Los Angeles Rams in primetime next week and then return home to face the New York Giants in two weeks.

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Trubisky needs all the help he can get in those two matchups. Let’s hope this offensive line snaps out of it, and soon.