It feels like a lifetime ago that the Chicago Bears had major issues across the offensive line, thanks to all of the momentum created by Ryan Poles and Ben Johnson over the past few weeks.
At the same time, Bears fans aren't too far removed from the misery they faced when looking at the state of this group in Chicago. Poles was clearly in do-or-die mode this year and he finally delivered by giving the Bears three brand-new starters in a matter of just days.
New starting center Drew Dalman was the top free agent interior lineman on the market and the Bears were able to lock him down. He takes over for Coleman Shelton whom Bears fans were less than thrilled with a season ago.
Before Shelton, though, it was a position mostly manned by veteran Lucas Patrick, who had come over by way of the Green Bay Packers as one of Luke Getsy's guys. Patrick didn't exactly work out, but he wasn't the worst candidate possible for the job. Between injuries and inconsistencies, though, the Bears let him walk after the 2023 season.
Now, he's attempting to extend his career after 10 starts with the New Orleans Saints in 2024.
Lucas Patrick is visiting the Cincinnati Bengals on his free agency tour
Per insider Jordan Schultz, the Cincinnati Bengals are hosting Patrick for a visit on Friday. The fact that this visit was scheduled should tell you where we're at in free agency, at this point.
The craziness is over and remaining players can take their time figuring out their next home. Or, in Patrick's case, he can figure out if there are teams still interested in his services. Injuries have been an issue in two of the last three seasons for Patrick, who is set to turn 32 years old in July.
Last year, as a guard in New Orleans, Patrick gave up zero sacks but was penalized six times. He is a better run blocker than he is in pass blocking, which Joe Burrow might not be too fond of. However, the Bengals don't exactly have a whole lot of money to work with after getting deals done with wide receivers Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins.
Patrick is likely going to come cheap and, as Bears fans know, he's a major risk at this point in his career.