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Chicago Bears Depth Chart: Offensive Guard

By Parker Hurley

CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 15: Kyle Long #75 of the Chicago Bears walks off the field after their loss to the New Orleans Saints at Soldier Field on December 15, 2014 in Chicago, Illinois. The Saints defeated the Bears 31-15. (Photo by Brian Kersey/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 15: Kyle Long #75 of the Chicago Bears walks off the field after their loss to the New Orleans Saints at Soldier Field on December 15, 2014 in Chicago, Illinois. The Saints defeated the Bears 31-15. (Photo by Brian Kersey/Getty Images) /
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One spot the Chicago Bears need to build up depth is at the guard position

As the Chicago Bears head into the offseason it has been clear that the team does not have many crying needs and will bring back most of their 2018 starters. However, one area that they are going to have to address whether it be in the form of depth or a starter is guard.

Heading into the offseason the team has just two true guards on the roster; Kyle Long and James Daniels. Daniels is a rookie and a former center. He had some issues but overall held down the left guard spot well. Daniels is signed on for the next three seasons and should be penciled in as a starter there.

However, opposite of Daniels became a revolving door over the second half of the season. Kyle Long started the year but for the third straight season went down with an injury. Eric Kush and Bryan Witzmann held it down but neither showed any ability to be a long-term starter.

Kyle Long will be back, but the team could save a decent chunk of change by letting him go, and a pay cut may be in his best interest.

However, after Long, this team has no depth to speak of. Both Kush and Witzmann are free agents.

The team may bring back one or the other, but neither should be looked at as a solution but rather, depth that can step in when needed. If they were to bring back one of the two, the preferred choice should be Kush.

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Draft or Free Agency?

The Bears may bring in another depth name to compliment Kush or Witzmann. However, Bradley Sowell is a tackle who can slide into guard if needed as well. The Bears should add to the guard spot, but it should not be with a veteran in free agency.

The Chicago Bears should rather draft at the position. They can enter next year with Long and Daniels as starters, but want a young, up and coming name to pair with Daniels moving forward.

Long could help a rookie grow and if he gets hurt, he could pass the baton off for the future. The Bears do not have an early pick, but a depth guard who has some starter upside is not going to be a high pick, either. Look for the Bears to address guard in the middle rounds.

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