Chicago Bears Offseason Stock Watch: Alex Bars
Did any moves by the Chicago Bears this offseason cause Alex Bars stock to move up or down?
There seems to be a different perception surrounding Alex Bars from the fans and the front office. The fans are optimistic that Bars is a top UDFA find. Bars was likely going to be drafted, but an ACL injury at arguably the worst time caused his stock to fall. The Chicago Bears were able to sign him as a UDFA thanks to his relationship with offensive line coach at the time, Harry Hiestand.
So, after spending a year getting back from the injury, Bars could have a chance to excel and compete for the starting right guard spot in year two. However, there is a lot going against him.
To start, the Bears had chances late in the season to start him at guard and see what they had. Bars was healthy enough to compete in training camp. However, by week 17, they still saw no need to give him a look at starter snaps.
From there, they fired one of the biggest reasons Bars is here. After a first season where he clearly did not show the Bears enough, the team noted that they want to go in a different direction altogether in offensive line philosophy.
Since Juan Castillo has been hired the team brought in Germain Ifedi, Arlington Hambright and Lachavious Simmons. Two of the three have experience at tackle, but the idea so far is that all three are going to compete for snaps at guard.
Bars has played at tackle and guard at Notre Dame. Still, if there were a roster spot for him to earn next season, it would be the starting right guard spot that he could not beat out Coward for in 2019.
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Still, that is the position that may have at least three new names, plus Coward competing for it. Bars does not have the influence of the offensive line coach either. All of the sudden the perception went from Bars being an exciting second year to UDFA, to being a player that the team seems uninterested in, and almost phased out of consideration with their moves this offseason. Can Bars earn a spot? Possibly, but he stands lower now than he has since going undrafted.