Why the Chicago Bears need to fix offensive line need soon

As the Chicago Bears get ready for their Preseason Week 1 matchup against the Miami Dolphins, there seems to be an even bigger question for the Bears than when the starting day for Justin Fields is.

The Chicago Bears are in trouble if they don’t assess the offensive line

With second-round draft pick Teven Jenkins missing his eighth practice due to back tightness on Friday, the flurry of offensive-line injuries didn’t stop there.

Mizzou product Larry Borom also ended up sidelined during Friday’s practice with what seems to be a concussion. This is a big hit for the Chicago Bears, as Borom had a nice practice with the first-strings last practice.

With Jenkins and Borom out, here are the rest of the injured Chicago Bears offensive linemen as of Friday, August 6th: Germain Ifedi, James Daniels, Elijah Wilkinson (reserve/COVID-19 list), and Lachavious Simmons.

With all these offensive linemen out, the Chicago Bears must look at getting some offensive line help with the remaining free agents left.

"Top offensive line FAs left:Russell Okung, LT (33 years old), CAR73.0 PFF grade in 2020Ricky Wagner, RT (32 years old), GB77.0 PFF grade in 2020Jason Peters, LT (39 years old), PHI67.6 PFF grade in 2020David DeCastro, G (31 years old), PIT64.1 PFF grade in 2020Zach Fulton, G (30 years old), NYG63.0 PFF grade in 2020"

So, with these guys still available for signing, and there is a glaring hole at offensive line — and more specifically at offensive tackle — the Chicago Bears should do whatever they need to free the cap necessary to sign one of these veteran offensive linemen, again, specifically offensive tackle.

With so much focus on the quarterback of the future in Justin Fields, the focus on protecting that quarterback should have a similar priority. And protecting the quarterback usually starts and ends with the offensive tackle.

Hopefully, for the Chicago Bears and Bears fans worldwide, Teven Jenkins’ back tightness aids itself in the coming days and weeks, that way the second-round tackle from Oklahoma State can be the bodyguard Fields needs.

Hopefully, within the next few days, the offensive line begins to heal, that way they’re more ready for an important first game with the Miami Dolphins on Aug. 14.