This offseason, the Chicago Bears' offensive line has been one of the main topics talked about among the fan base, but not for the reason we're about to cover.
Everyone wants to know how the left tackle position will shake out with Braxton Jones and if Logan Jones will beat out Garrett Bradbury for the new starting center spot following the retirement of Drew Dalman.
But nobody -- and I mean nobody -- is talking about guard Kyle Hergel.
Well, except maybe on the Hoge and Jahns podcast.
But wait a minute... who is Kyle Hergel?
Adam Hoge and Adam Jahns spoke about the former Boston College standout on a recent episode. Somehow, fans didn't hear about this development during minicamp. But, Hergel started seeing reps with the starters during some moments when starter Joe Thuney was out.
It wasn't Jordan McFadden. It wasn't Luke Newman or even Kiran Amegadjie.
Nope, it was Hergel.
Kyle Hergel could challenge Theo Benedet as the Bears' next 'Canadian Eagle'
For those who remember the moment on HBO's Hard Knocks, Bears undrafted rookie Theo Benedet was dubbed "The Canadian Eagle" by former head coach Matt Eberflus. Since that viral moment, Benedet has found himself sticking around and becoming a lasting part of this Bears offensive line.
Hergel, meanwhile, is also a native of Canada, being born in Toronto and eventually getting his college football start at the University of North Dakota. Hergel would make his way to Boston College before going undrafted in 2024 and signing with the New Orleans Saints.
Sidenote: of course Ryan Poles would find a former Boston College offensive lineman.
As Hoge and Jahns pointed out on their recent episode, the Bears may now have a pair of "Canadian Eagles."
Somehow, amid all of the other storylines to come out of minicamp, we missed out on Hergel. Normally, if a starter like Thuney went to the sideline for a brief period, it would be a non-story. We'd just assume one of the main backup candidates took his place.
But instead, Hergel stepped in and was given the chance to work with the ones.
This is notable because the Bears might not have had a locked-and-loaded reserve at the guard position. You could have argued McFadden, Newman or Amigadjie, but none of those three names would be considered a top-tier option.
Hergel came into the league having made a total of 54 starts and only allowed a shocking five sacks on nearly 1,800 snaps.
Somehow, he wasn't even good enough to earn a pre-draft profile on the league's official website, which writes up hundreds each year.
Read more: Eagles made the signing the Bears may regret not making
Now, in Chicago, Hergel might just have a chance to make this roster. If he's being thrown in and trusted to take snaps with the ones, in place of a future Hall of Famer like Thuney, that speaks volumes about what Ben Johnson sees in him.
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