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Potential Offensive Line Restructuring for 2017 Chicago Bears?

By Greg O'Shalae

Nov 13, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Chicago Bears offensive guard Kyle Long (75) works out prior to the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 13, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Chicago Bears offensive guard Kyle Long (75) works out prior to the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Is an offensive line restructuring coming for the Chicago Bears in 2017?

Regardless of whether Mitch Trubisky starts at quarterback for the Chicago Bears in 2017 or 2018, the offensive line needs to be very good to ensure success.  The Bears were in the top ten in terms of sacks allowed, but that’s due to the stellar interior.  Offensive tackles, however, were a different case.

Pro Football Focus (PFF) ranked the Bears’ offensive line as 15th in the league, but noted the interior may be the best in the entire NFL.  That displays how poorly the tackles played.  Consequently, many found it odd the Bears did not draft an offensive tackle in the 2017 draft.

So what’s the answer at offensive tackle?  Ryan Pace and crew must have a plan, and it surely can’t involve protecting the franchise QB with Charles Leno Jr. and Bobby Massie.

Potential Move #1

Before the 2016 season, Hroniss Grasu was slotted as the starting center.  He appeared very confident about his 2016 season.  By all accounts, he was prepped for a promising sophomore year with the Chicago Bears.  Unfortunately for Grasu, he was lost for the year with a knee injury.  If Grasu is back healthy, then the former third rounder could reassume his position at center, and free up Cody Whitehair for a move.

Moving Whitehair to guard would be the most likely change, and it would cause a domino effect on the offensive line.  The best scenario would be a move to right guard, which pushes Kyle Long out to right tackle.  Long played right tackle for the Bears in 2015, but wasn’t as dominating as he has shown to be at guard.  Nevertheless, Long was good enough to earn an invite to the Pro Bowl as a RT.

Therefore, the net change on the offensive line would be positive.  Long’s improvement over Massie would be more significant than the difference between Whitehair and Grasu.

Potential Lineup #1

The end result would be an offensive line with the following configuration:

  • LT – Charles Leno Jr.
  • LG – Josh Sitton
  • C – Hroniss Grasu
  • RG – Cody Whitehair
  • RT – Kyle Long

Potential Move #2

May 12, 2017; Lake Forest, IL, USA; Chicago Bears offensive lineman Jordan Morgan (67) works out during the Bear’s Rookie Minicamp at Halas Hall. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports
May 12, 2017; Lake Forest, IL, USA; Chicago Bears offensive lineman Jordan Morgan (67) works out during the Bear’s Rookie Minicamp at Halas Hall. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports /

The Chicago Bears may not have drafted an offensive tackle, but they did draft Jordan Morgan out of D-II Kutztown.  Morgan played tackle in college, but everyone has him slotted as a future NFL guard.

The scouting report from NFL.com says he has, “nastiness as a run blocker that is necessary to transition inside to guard.”

The Bleacher Report scouting report labeled Morgan as a “smart blocker with good angles and the natural tools to be developed into a starting guard.”

nastiness as a run blocker that is necessary to transition inside to guard.

One other key piece of information is that Morgan impressed at the Senior Bowl, and he was coached by John Fox and staff.  Morgan wouldn’t have been picked by the Bears unless they were very impressed with him.

The Chicago Bears might keep Whitehair in the center position he controlled as a rookie, and groom Morgan as future starter at guard.  Morgan’s move to guard might make transitioning Long to tackle easier.  Surrounding a promising, young offensive lineman with strength and leadership on each shoulder is a likely path to success.

Potential Lineup #2

Ultimately, this move would indicate the brass feels better about Morgan’s future than Grasu’s.  Nonetheless, the offensive line would be configured as follows:

  • LT – Charles Leno Jr.
  • LG – Josh Sitton
  • C – Cody Whitehair
  • RG – Jordan Morgan
  • RT – Kyle Long

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Future Consideration

The current offensive line depth makes a 2017 switch possible.  Moreover, it may be a good idea to start as early as possible to improve offensive line continuity moving forward.

Whether the Chicago Bears decide to upgrade from Leno and Massie this year or next remains to be seen.  It is critical, however, to upgrade each position if the team is serious about developing and protecting Trubisky in the future.

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