Could Elijah Wilkinson start at RT for Chicago Bears?

When the Chicago Bears signed Jason Peters, it likely said more about Teven Jenkins than it did Elijah Wilkinson. Sure, Wilkinson was the starter at left tackle, and he likely just lost his job to a 39-year old walking in off the street. Still, Wilkinson was a placeholder at left tackle anyways, and it seems as though the Bears see the timeline being longer than anticipated now.

While the left tackle situation was an issue that called for Jason Peters, the right tackle spot is just as unresolved. Juan Castillo talked highly of Germain Ifedi in off-season workouts, but he has yet to participate in training camp, so far staying on the PUP list.

There is still time for Ifedi to come back and start at right tackle, but he is losing time, and the Bears are losing valuable snaps by not having their starter out there. To boot, they lost Larry Borom to a concussion. This has led to Lachavious Simmons taking far too many snaps with the first team.

When the Chicago Bears get back to practice they could be looking at Jason Peters at left tackle and Elijah Wilkinson at right tackle.

From there, the Bears should be looking at what they have in Wilkinson. Aside from being much more capable than Simmons, he has started and looked strong in moments at right tackle with the Denver Broncos.

It is a good time to remind you that Ifedi moved to right tackle out of desperation last season after the team tried playing him at right guard. Ifedi had his best games against the Texans, Lions, Jaguars. Ifedi could be the starter they needed at right tackle, but could just as easily be replaced, or be a lesser option than Wilkinson.

As Ifedi gets back to health, there should have to be a few days where he unseats Wilkinson, rather than gets handed the job.