3 News stories about the Chicago Bears you may have missed this week
The Chicago Bears starting offensive line is not what many thought it would be
Heading into the offseason, many speculated that both Teven Jenkins and Larry Borom would be starting on the offensive line in 2022. There was speculation that the team could go out and sign a proven left tackle and then move one of Jenkins or Borom inside to the right guard spot. Well, that sort of happened.
I don’t think anyone expected Braxton Jones, a fifth-round draft pick on a 1-10, Big Sky conference college team, to come in and win the Chicago Bears starting left tackle spot. He has had his hiccups, but he has also proven himself early on and the coaching staff has seen enough to annoint him as the opening day starting left tackle — at least for now.
That was a pleasing storyline, but once the team signed Riley Reiff and Michael Schofield, I think fans (including myself) assumed Reiff would start at left tackle while Schofield started at right guard. Schofield appears to have lost that spot to Teven Jenkins who has gone from a starting right tackle, to backup right tackle, to not practicing, to the third string, to starting right guard. What a rollercoaster.
As of now, as Matt Eberflus said it was their jobs to lose, it appears that the starting offensive line for the opening week vs the 49ers will be:
- Braxton Jones, LT
- Cody Whitehair, LG
- Lucas Patrick, C (Sam Mustipher if Patrick isn’t fully healthy)
- Teven Jenkins, RG
- Larry Borom, RT
This will be an interesting development as Justin Fields has already been running for his life at times. Will he be able to stand in the pocket long enough to make plays? We will have to wait until September as reports are the starters are not likely to play much, if any, snaps in the final preseason game vs the Browns.