Is this free agent lineman a perfect scheme fit for Chicago Bears?
The Chicago Bears are likely to release Cody Whitehair, which will free up nearly $10M in cap space but will also create a hole at left guard that needs to be filled. One player that could be a perfect fit to step into that role is Ben Powers.
Ben Powers is a former fourth-round pick from Oklahoma. He spent his first four seasons in the NFL with the Baltimore Ravens and is set to hit free agency for the first time at age 26. Over The Cap has his salary projected for just a bit over $10M, which would be right what the team saves from Whitehair.
Should Chicago Bears sign Ben Powers?
If they can get younger than Whitehair at the same cost, it would be a huge win. Beyond that, Powers looks like a pretty easy scheme fit. Of course, the Chicago Bears offense should and will continue to evolve as Luke Getsy enters year two in the NFL.
Still, the team hit its stride when they admitted that they spent some time looking at the Ravens’ playbook. Powers went from blocking for Lamar Jackson, and blocking in a run-heavy offense, so an adjustment to Justin Fields would not be nearly as harsh as some others.
As a rookie, Powers was just a reserve, but he finished year two as a starter at right guard. The team went into year three assuming he would be a reserve, but he wound up starting almost the entirety of the season at left guard.
Then, in 2022, he had his best season yet. He played a full load of snaps, excelled in pass protection, and was a part of the line that kept things together during the backstretch with a backup quarterback.
At age 26, and with just about two seasons of left guard play in the NFL, the thought is that the next few years of his career will probably be his most consistent play. This is the time to buy Ben Powers.
The Ravens will obviously want him back, but they have a cap press with Lamar Jackson. If the Chicago Bears have to spend that extra million or two to bring him away, this is the type of player who is worth it.
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Keep an eye on Powers because his age, position, scheme fit, and salary all are in line with what Chicago should be looking into.