Chicago Bears: Only two offensive linemen free agents left worth signing

 The Chicago Bears could also use the help of Mitchell Schwartz

Although he doesn’t fit the position the Chicago Bears are looking to fill, Mitchell Schwartz is still a free agent worth signing if healthy. Many were surprised when the Chiefs released their bookend tackles, Mitchell Schwartz and Eric Fisher. Fisher is coming off an Achilles injury but signed with the Colts. Schwartz has back issues and had surgery earlier this offseason. He expects to be healthy for 2021 though.

Schwartz is a right tackle and has played that position for all nine years of his career. Like Russell Okung, Schwartz will be 33 this season. Prior to last year, he had not missed a game. If healthy, he is one of the better right tackles in the game. Nothing against Germain Ifedi, but if the Bears can lock in Schwartz for a season or two at right tackle, I’d be perfectly okay with Cody Whitehair moving back to center, James Daniels sticking to left guard and Ifedi kicking into right guard.

The only problem here is that you are still going to see Elijah Wilkinson or Teven Jenkins at left tackle. I am not high on Wilkinson at all and have barely mentioned him for a reason. Also, this does not appear to solve the issue at hand if the rumors are true about the team wanting a left tackle.

We should also be a little concerned the team is looking to add a left tackle at this point in the offseason. Outside of quarterback, left tackle is the next most important position on offense. If Teven Jenkins cannot live up to expectations of being a starting left tackle in year one, this offense will look just as bad as it has the last two seasons — no matter who is throwing the football.

This is why Russell Okung should be signed and Jenkins should either back him up or move to right tackle. Find the best five and play them together early to build chemistry. This unit should no longer be the weak link on this offense.