5 changes Chicago Bears must make with mini-bye

2. Chicago Bears must start Lucas Patrick at center

Lucas Patrick was signed to not only be the Chicago Bears starting this center, he was signed to be the center of the future. He was going to be the guy that Justin Fields led his career with. So far, Lucas Patrick has not taken a single at center.

Now, some of that was expected, his hand injury prevented him from snapping a football. Still, Patrick has largely been a disappointment this season, and it is hard to say that it is not because he is playing out of position.

Versatility was a key for signing Patrick, but having a starting center was far more important. They gave Sam Mustipher a shot, and he has not lived up to expectations. Perhaps they did not want to rush the change and make sure that Patrick was completely healthy.

Well, now they have 11 days to get him into the lineup. You are arguably making two spots better because Patrick has turned into a liability at guard. He may be the same at center, but at least you push Patrick from a position he was struggling at into a position he was signed to play. From there, you lose Mustipher at center, which could be a huge win.

The obvious question is who starts at left guard. Still, it is hard to say that is the problem of Patrick. They signed him to play center, and now they need to give him a chance in the position he was supposed to play.