Chicago Bears: Kyle Long announces retirement via Twitter
By Jason Parini
In a series of Tweets, Chicago Bears offensive guard Kyle Long thanked the organization and fans. It appears he’s stepping away from football.
There may not be a Chicago Bears playoff game today, but it there’s massive news around Halas Hall this weekend.
In a series of Tweets, Bears Pro Bowl guard Kyle Long mentioned that he was “getting his body right” and thanked the Bears front office for bringing him in.
The seven-year veteran was the Bears first round pick in 2013 out of the University of Oregon. Despite being plagued by injuries, he was a three-time Pro Bowler.
Long played in four games this season before being placed on injured reserve, ending his 2019 campaign.
Long has seen multiple eras of Bears football, having played for Marc Trestman, John Fox and Matt Nagy. He’s been a fan-favorite for years thanks to his tenacity and loyalty.
Some chicagoans are probably happy to hear I’m finally stepping away and getting my body right. Some Chicagoans may be sad to hear this. Either way ufeel about it, I want u to know how lucky I am to have spent time in your city. I became a man while playing in Chicago.Thank you❤️
— kyle (@Ky1eLong) January 6, 2020
Though it was originally unclear if Long was retiring or just stepping away, it now seems clear that his time with the Bears and professional football is completely over.
He is under contract through 2021, with the 2020 season being a team option that must be exercised by 3/18/2020 per Spotrac.
Long was predominately replaced by Rashaad Coward at the right guard position, who started 10 games in 2019.
Long will certainly be tough to replace in many ways. His size and abilities as well as locker room presence have been a tremendous asset for the Bears for the better portion of the 2010s.
The Bears already have internal options to replace him including Coward, who is a restricted free agent for 2020.
The Bears could also look to the draft for replacements, as they’ll be in dire need of additional protection in front of quarterback Mitch Trubisky next season.
If Long is indeed done, one can’t blame the 31-year-old for making a personal decision and trying to keep his body healthy for as long as possible.
With decades of life ahead of him, retiring just past 30 after getting paid millions of dollars to do what you love is truly the American dream for many.
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Thanks Kyle for the memories, dedication and insatiable competitive spirit. No doubt he’s woven himself deep into the fabrics of Bears history.