Will Running Game Improve with Kyle Long Destined for IR?

So far this season, the offense of the Chicago Bears has been a disappointment. In particular, the Bears’ ground attack hasn’t even come close to meeting the expectations of fans in the Windy City. Getting rid of Jordan Howard to make room for rookie running back David Montgomery was looked upon as the remedy to Chicago’s running game. Unfortunately, this hasn’t come to fruition—well, at least not yet.

One of the things that could be holding back the Bears’ production on the ground might be taken out of the mix for the remainder of the season. It has been reported that Chicago will more than likely put starting right guard Kyle Long on injured reserve (IR). NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport took to Twitter to reveal the news.

The #Bears are likely to place standout OL Kyle Long on Injured Reserve, sources tell me and @MikeGarafolo. The team’s O-line has struggled and they make a major move based on health.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 13, 2019

At this point in the season, Long could be looked upon as the worst lineman on the Bears’ offensive front. It’s no fault to his skill. However, it is due to the fact that the three-time Pro Bowler has been hampered with injuries since 2016. Now, it looks like the years of wear-and-tear has taken its toll on the 30-year old.

Long’s lack of production on the offensive line has been observed by many. Two people in particular are former Bears Olin Kreutz and Matt Forte.

After Chicago’s loss to the Oakland Raiders in Week 5, Kreutz, who played 13 seasons with the Bears and went to six Pro Bowls, mentioned on NBC Chicago’s Football Aftershow that the team should take a look at Long and decide if he should go on IR. On the same show, Forte, who played with Long for three seasons, touched on how he noticed Long wasn’t driving his feet while run blocking and that he might be “compensating for something.”

This move by the franchise just might be the thing that not only helps improve the offense, but also saves the Bears’ entire season. As mentioned, the running game has underachieved. Improvement from the ground attack will definitely help the production of quarterback Mitchell Trubisky (once he’s healthy). In addition to this potential move giving the offense a breath of new life, it will also take a load of pressure off of the defense to carry the team week after week.

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Looking at how the running game has performed thus far, there isn’t much to do but improve. Entering Week 6, the Bears are ranked 26th in rushing (80.6 yards per game), and is 29th in the league with an average of 3.4 yards per carry.

Montgomery entered Week 6 ranked second among rookie running backs with 225 yards (which isn’t saying much after five games). Montgomery, who was predicted by some to be the best rookie running back this season, has showed some flash here and there but hasn’t been able to have that breakout game due to the offensive line’s lack of production along the line of scrimmage.

Currently on Chicago’s depth chart, Ted Larsen is behind Long at right guard. Larsen, a 10-year veteran, could be the next man up, assuming that he is fully recovered from a knee injury that kept him from traveling to London with the team to face the Raiders in Week 5. Another possibility is Rashaad Coward, who is listed as the second-string right tackle but does has some versatility on the offensive line. And of course, there is always the chance that the Bears do find someone via free agency or trade.

When it comes down to it, the improvement of Chicago’s running game will be determined whether or not they are able to fine the right replacement for Long. Whether if that answer is already on the roster, or if it is elsewhere, the Bears need to think hard and quick in order to fill this void in the right way.

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