5. Offensive Line Depth is a Problem
Until it’s proven otherwise, releasing Matt Slauson was a mistake. Everyone has heard the fact that he doesn’t quite fit the Bears blocking scheme, but even a square peg in Slauson is better than most of the round pegs that the Bears have brought in to provide depth. Slauson was the Bears best rated blocker in 2015 (according to PFF) and was a leader in the locker room.
There’s no point to cry about it, the Bears made the decision to let him go and the team is going to have to move on. The issue right now is that Grasu is very questionable at center and the Bears have nothing behind him. Grasu could probably use another year (or more) to develop and Slauson proved his versatility last season excelling at the center position when the Bears needed him.
The Bears key subs right now are Larsen (who the Arizona Cardinals gladly let walk after a poor showing in 2015) and Nate Chandler who is coming off a major injury and struggled when he had opportunities in Carolina. With the retirement of Manny Ramirez, the Bears have no legitimate sub for Grasu and weak subs at both guard and tackle. Pace is going to have to do his due-diligence to try and improve this unit by week one of the regular season.