The Chicago Bears have been starting Bryan Witzmann at right guard. If Eric Kush is healthy, should the Bears give him a shot at starting over Witzmann?
Matt Nagy has stated throughout multiple press conferences that he wants to get better at running the football. However, after Jordan Howard ripping off over 70 yards in the second half he struggled to get back to running the ball in the second half.
A lot of that can be explained. Howard ripped off two long runs. Aside from that, he was getting stuffed at the line of scrimmage. Overall the run looked good on paper but was weak on a per play basis. The pass was a better per play bet.
Still, this is a team that needs to run the football. Getting Mitch Trubisky into the lineup helps. However, Matt Nagy has stressed that his quarterback cannot carry the rushing totals.
Another personnel change that should be looked at is starting Eric Kush over Bryan Witzmann. When Kyle Long went down, the team went to Witzmann over Kush. It may have had to do with Kush missing time due to an injury. It may have had to do with Witzmann being familiar with Nagy coming from Kansas City. Nonetheless, it was interesting, considering Kush started the season at left guard before their second-round pick unseated him.
Once Witzmann was installed in the offense the group went from decent at rushing and carried by Trubisky to just poor at running the football. It started with Trubisky in the lineup but has been exemplified in the past two weeks.
Take a look at this play from last week. Ogletree is a speedy linebacker, but he is blitzing at Witzmann, who falls over trying to get out on him. The result is Jordan Howard working to get back to the line of scrimmage.
With Bryan Witzmann in the lineup, the Bears average 3.2 yards per carry, a 39% success rate. When he is not on the field, the Bears average 4.6 yards per carry and a 56% success rate. Yes, two games without Trubisky hurts his stats. Still, that disparity is alarming.
The Chicago Bears averaged 4.4 yards per carry with Eric Kush on the field and 53% to be successful. At this point, there is no harm in at least trying. Unless Eric Kush is injured, he should be starting at right guard. Considering he is active every week, this is where the Bears should look.