Chicago Bears: Offensive line the root of the problems on offense
The offensive line continues to be the Achilles’ heel for the Chicago Bears.
The Chicago Bears are 5-1 mostly due to the defense playing near super bowl caliber and special teams playing the best it ever has under head coach Matt Nagy.
However, we once again as a fan base must suffer through another year with a Bears team that has a great defense and bad offense. Most fans are pointing their daggers at the head coach that was deemed an offensive guru.
Nagy for the most part has displayed that he is a decent enough play-caller. Does he have some red flags as a play-caller? Most definitely — specifically in certain situations. One clear example, was the 3rd and 2nd play where he called for a quick pass play to Allen Robinson. With the Carolina Panthers having one timeout left, the obvious thing to do was to run the football. If you do not get the first at the very least, you force the Panthers to use their final timeout.
As obvious as it was to run in that situation, the play call told us fans just how much faith he has in his offensive line to help David Montgomery get those two yards against one of the worst run defenses in the league. As fans how can we fairly judge Nagy as a play-caller when the O-line can not run block or give the pass play more time to develop.
I cannot say that I am shocked about the overall play of the offensive line. The only significant additions they made in the offseason are hiring OL coach Juan Castillo and signing OG Germain Ifedi. It was clear as day that the Bears lack high-end talent across the offensive line. Ryan Pace throughout his tenure has only used two high round draft picks on the offensive line. Cody Whitehair and James Daniels are both former second-round picks and arguably the only ones worth keeping at the end of the season.
Significant upgrades need to be made to the offensive line this offseason. However, the Bears could sign a guy like Quinton Spain who was released by the Buffalo Bills. Spain started all 16 games for the Bills at left guard in 2019; a position the Bears currently have a hole at with the season-ending injury to starter James Daniels.
They can also go the trade route with the trade deadline upcoming. The one spot they can make a phone call to are the Atlanta Falcons. Jake Matthews would be the grand prize from that offensive line. A guy that can bump Charles Leno Jr down to a swing tackle. Left guard James Carpenter and center Alex Mack are also guys to inquire about.
Related Story. An answer at the left guard position available?. light
Bottom line, the Bears offense will not improve until the offensive line is playing at a respectable level. The team is 5-1, but if they want to not only make the playoffs but make a deep run, they need to address the offensive line. Preferably look for answers that are currently not in the building.