It took longer than it needed to, but the Chicago Bears have finally appear to be making the correct decision. According to Matt Miller over at Bleacher Report, the Bears are moving two-time Pro Bowl right guard Kyle Long to the right tackle position.
Kyle Long will move to right tackle, according to league sources. #Bears
— Matt Miller (@nfldraftscout) September 6, 2015
The writing appeared to be on the wall earlier in the day when the Bears decided to place Jordan Mills on waivers, and replace him by claiming Patrick Omameh from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Despite his inconsistency and obvious struggles, Mills has been the Bears’ primary right tackle since the team drafted him in the fifth round of the 2013 NFL Draft. Omameh on the other hand, is considered to strictly be a guard, and he started at the right guard position for the Buccaneers in all 16 games last season.
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With no other legitimate options to start at the right tackle position, the move to Long seems like a formality, and it is backed-up by the reputable Miller.
This is a position change that I have been hoping for all off season. Long is a smart and aggressive offensive lineman who has become one of the best at his position in the NFL. He always played on the interior, but Long’s natural quickness, athleticism and pass protection abilities would seem to translate to the tackle position very well.
Long is clearly the Bears’ best offensive lineman, and he is much more valuable to the team on the outside. In fact, if Long makes a strong transition to right tackle this season, I think his skill-set sets him up perfectly for an opportunity to move to left tackle for next season. There, the Bears would get the absolute most out of arguably their best offensive player. But that is a discussion for another day.
For now, I am glad to see the clearly over-matched Mills off of the roster, and Long playing the position that he needs to be playing. For now, the favorite to replace Long at right guard is Vlad Ducasse, who the Bears brought in as a free agent this off season. Ducasse has had a solid preseason, and should be able to hold down the fort just fine at right guard. Omameh also brings nice insurance to the position.
While I do not understand why the Bears dragged their feet to make this move (perhaps Mills could have succeeded as a guard if given the opportunity in the preseason?), I am just glad to see them putting their best players in a position to help the team. Long is an elite athlete on the offensive line, and his eventual move to tackle was simply a formality. There was not a reason to put that move off any longer.
Next: Bears Finalize 53-Man Roster