Chicago Bears Offseason Stock Watch: Ted Larsen

Where does the stock of the Chicago Bears free-agent signee stand heading into the start of the season?

Reunited and it feels so good. But seriously, it is good to see old Ted Larsen back in Chicago after the team signed him from the Miami Dolphins. Of course, he is not a major playmaker, though.

Larsen was a swing guard who could slide into center for his entire career. In 2016, he put in eight starts with the Chicago Bears. Now, he is back.

Of course, in a best-case scenario, he is not needed. The Bears added Larsen because they lost Eric Kush and Bryan Witzmann. Kush is a guard who had slid into center. Kush essentially replaced Larsen.

Meanwhile, when Kush and Kyle Long went down with injuries, it was Witzmann who slide into right guard. The Bears did a great job supplanting depth on the offensive line with a big UDFA haul.

However, investing in UDFAs is a high variance play. That is why they brought in so many. Yes, they have a chance to develop these talents, but this will take time. Larsen is still needed.

So, the question becomes, what is the stock of a player who is needed for depth, but not wanted as a starter?

First, you have to admit that the Bears invested money in Larsen. They are betting on his health and ability to slide into any interior spot. With that alone, his stock has to be up.

Sure, he is not a starter, but they have trust and faith in him and went out and made the move to bring him in.

Offseason Stock UP