Chicago Bears: Biggest positional needs as the team must prepare for 2022
The Chicago Bears need to address the interior offensive line
If the Chicago Bears are going to address anything on the offensive line, center needs to be the first position to focus on. If not center specifically, at least an interior lineman. The team could always shift Cody Whitehair back to center if needed, but Sam Mustipher is clearly not the answer.
I’ll admit, I was at first okay with Mustipher starting at center. He was not perfect, but he was admirable most of the time. I was blinded by the hope and the story of him working out and failed to realize just how poorly his play was when not servicable. That poor play has worsened over the last few weeks and he has become a liability.
The hope here is that Larry Borom takes over the right tackle (or maybe left tackle) spot. His first start versus the San Francisco 49ers was rather impressive for a fifth-round rookie. Teven Jenkins hopefully heals from his back injury and takes the other tackles spot over. He has the potential to be great if he can remain healthy. Should one or both fail, then this team is in for a world of pain again in 2022.
Let’s us hope that one or both work out. Either way, offensive line needs to be a major focus in the offseason. With only five draft picks, it will be difficult to find more than depth pieces. This is why finding a solid wide receiver in free agency is key since it’s possible that priorities at both offensive line and safety might be more important in the draft. Either way, this team needs a new center or guard for sure next season.
Odell Beckham fits better than Allen Robinson. dark. Next
We don’t even know if the team will bring back James Daniels. Personally, I’d be signing him to an extension and focusing on the center position while Whitehair stays at left guard and Daniels remains at right guard. A new center will be key while Borom holds the fort at one tackle spot and Jenkins the other. This would be ideal and make for a much improved 2022 (at least on paper). The key will be if everyone pans out.