Bears Enter Critical Week for James Daniels

James Daniels needs to be the starting center in week two of the preseason. Here’s why.

For those of you who like to watch offensive line play when watching a football game, you got a real treat during the Cincinnati Bengals game if you watched James Daniels. Daniels was quite impressive.

Eric Kush started and Daniels played with the second string. Cody Whitehair also was playing center and had some struggles as well. Daniels is only 20-years-old and because of his age, some thought it might be wise for Daniels to be brought along slowly and perhaps start the season coming off the bench rather than the stress of being a starter at that age, especially at center.

But after his performance against the Bengals, it’s time to see just how good James Daniels is.

Daniels consistently moved defensive lineman off the ball, showed quickness with his feet, was able to get to the second level consistently and was solid in pass pro as well. He made a mockery of the Bengals’ second-stringers and showed that he’s ready to start.

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With Whitehair and Kush both having lackluster games, Daniels should start next week against the Denver Broncos. If the Bears choose to keep him with the second stringers again, it proves more challenging to move him up with the 1s as the preseason progresses. Keep in mind that the third game is the dress rehearsal. The Bears want to have their starting units set by then and see how everyone does. The fourth game is a throw away game where no one important will play.

While the Bears could have Daniels make his first start in the third preseason game, it would make far more sense to give him a shot against the Broncos and if he looks solid, move forward with him as the starter for the week three dress rehearsal. This is an important week for the coaching staff as they need to make the proper decision for Daniels’ development and the betterment of the team.

With Kush and Whitehair not playing great at center, Daniels also should be starting at center and Whitehair starting at guard. Kush should be moved back to second-string where he has value to the team. The Bears need to stop messing with Whitehair. It’s time to move him to left guard and leave him alone. He’s been forced to do several different things and it’s definitely hindered his development.

The Bears had a similar situation last year with Mitch Trubisky. Mike Glennon struggled in the opener while Trubisky looked very good. In the second game, Trubisky’s playing time actually decreased and Glennon stayed with the 1s. There was no way the Bears were going to try to play Trubisky with the 1s in the dress rehearsal game and of course nothing gets done in week four. When the Bears made the decision to not elevate Trubisky at all in the second preseason game, it was a lock that Glennon would be starting the first week of the season. Obviously, that was a mistake.

While it’s much easier to transition an offensive lineman into the top unit than it is a quarterback, you still want to make sure Daniels has plenty of time to gel with the first unit and get comfortable with everything, especially if he’s at center.

It’s time for Daniels to be promoted to the starting lineup. He’s proven he’s ready. The Bears need to make the right decision with him this week. This is one of the first tests to see the mindset of Matt Nagy and his coaching staff.