If the Chicago Bears let Bobby Massie walk in free agency, who are some potential veterans who can step in
Yesterday we broke down the pros and cons and the potential contract that Bobby Massie may see in free agency. While it is not crazy to say that he will be back next season, there is a chance that he has played his last snaps with the Chicago Bears.
With that in mind, the team is going to have to replace him. While the draft would be the first place they look their first-round pick is Khalil Mack and their second-round pick Anthony Miller. They also have Rashaad Coward, a project who showed promise last preseason.
While they would like to bet on his upside of being a starter, that is no promise. They may want to add a bridge player to get him one more year of work before starting. If that is the route that they go, who are some right tackle options?
1. Marcus Gilbert
Marcus Gilbert was once regarded as one of the best right tackles in the NFL with the Pittsburgh Steelers. However, over the past two seasons, he has played in just 12 games combined. Injuries, as well as a steroid suspension, have hampered his progression as the former second-round pick now reaches 30 years old.
The team discovered Matt Feiler due to the absence of Gilbert and drafted Chuks Okorafor in round three after the Gilbert suspension. This is a team that takes pride in their offensive line. They have a chance to shed $6 million by letting go of Gilbert, which is a no brainer for them.
If Gilbert has a big market, he may not be the best bet for the Chicago Bears. However, he is going to be 31 and has serious health questions. If the Bears can get one good season from Gilbert, it would be a better bet than Bobby Massie.
2. Donald Penn
Donald Penn was once a multi Pro Bowl caliber player. However in 2017, he missed two games, the most he had missed in since his rookie year of 2007. From there his time with Jon Gruden was off to a rocky start. Gruden insisted Penn take a pay cut and move from left to right tackle.
Penn made the move but was hurt four games into his season. Penn was replaced by Brandon Parker, a third-round rookie who was drafted to start across from Kolton Miller, their first-round pick. The progression came faster than expected, but it does not seem as though Gruden will want to go back to his veteran when his young draft pick can keep his spot.
On top of that, the Raiders would save about $5 million by moving on from Penn. Penn already made the move to right tackle. On top of that, he is 36 years old and has a bit of an injury question now.
Penn took a pay cut and changed positions for his team. If one player would come in for one season, help Coward progress and look to get a Super Bowl ring, it could be a player like Penn.
3. Bryan Bulaga
Could Bulaga fall in line with Josh Sitton and give the Chicago Bears his last good season? Bulaga will enter his year 30 season after missing two games last year. He missed 11 games the year prior, and while he showed well as a pass protector, he graded poorly in run blocking.
The team is committed to David Bakhtiari and has some depth with Jason Spriggs entering his fourth year in the NFL. The Packers could save about $7 million by letting Bulaga go, and considering their needs at other spots it may be a small hit for a more significant gain.a
For the Bears, it could be a big pick up. They could get a discount like Sitton as the former Packer hopes to get revenge. This time, the Bears have the horses to get it with Bulaga. If the Packers dare look to move on, the Bears should bite.