The left tackle position continues to be a thorn in the side of the Chicago Bears. With Training Camp well under way, Ben Johnson and the rest of the coaching staff are working their way through workouts and various team reps to find a good chemistry that works for all parties involved. As of now, we're still early in camp, but that doesn't mean that this position battle isn't one that could carry weeks, even months on.
The Bears continue to rotate candidates at the position rather than narrowing the competition prematurely. Though time is of the essence, it's paramount that coach Johnson and the Bears get this setup right. Protecting Caleb Williams has clearly been the Bears' number one prerogative, and if they don't get this sorted out now, it could become a lingering issue that causes deeper cracks down the line.
Trial and error is the name of the game
"We're going to continue to roll guys through. You know, Kiran certainly taking some reps over there. Jedrick, Theo's in the mix. I mean, this is not a done deal by any stretch of the imagination. We're going to continue to cycle guys through... Of course, but we'll go as long as we need to. And even if that means into the season, we'll do whatever it takes."Ben Johnson
With the team cycling through all the potential combinations, Johnson and his staff are clearly exhausting all options before deciding on the correct route. When pressed, Johnson indicated he would like a faster resolution than the Bears found last season, but this is a process, and there's certain hoops that must be jumped through.
Johnson's comments indicating his dedication to even bring the competition into the season shows just how deep this player battle truly goes. The possibility of carrying this all the way into the season is hopefully something that can be avoided, but if all goes awry, it's a distinct possibility.
The Bears may gain clarity at left tackle by the middle of next week, but Johnson has made it clear that he won't force a decision to meet a deadline that doesn't exist. If the battle stretches into the regular season, the uncertainty surrounding Caleb Williams’ blindside protection will remain one of Chicago’s most troubling concerns.
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