With the Chicago Bears' training camp coming up, there will be a battle for almost every position.
This is true especially at the center position. The Bears signed Garrett Bradbury in the offseason after Drew Dalman retired. Chicago also drafted center Logan Jones in this year's draft.
Speculation has been mounting over who will get the starting spot. The plan seemed to be Bradbury. However, he has an edge that Logan doesn't: his connection with former college teammate and starter Joe Thuney, which might be what pushes Bradbury into that starting spot.
Garrett Bradbury and Joe Thuney Wolfpack ties
Bradbury and Thuney overlapped for two years at NC State and were roommates when they traveled to away games. While there, both had impressive careers, becoming key parts of their teams.
The Bears traded a fifth-round pick for Bradbury from the Super Bowl-contending New England Patriots. Still, that doesn't make him a sure lock in at the starting position for the rest of the year.
Building up the cohesion that the offensive line had last year should be a point of emphasis for Chicago. Having Thuney lined up right next to his college teammate must give the team more immediate chemistry. Coming off the momentum of last season, this position needs to be figured out fast and look good right away.
While on the Patriots last year, Bradbury had one of his best seasons, not allowing a sack or penalty all year. However, there are doubts about him because he was still graded by Pro Football Focus as the 23rd-best pass blocker. Still, he is coming off a Super Bowl, where he had to protect a mobile Drew Maye, so he has the potential to be consistent.
No one can replace Pro Bowler Dalman, but a connection like the one Bradbury and Thuney have can make the transition easier and quicker.
Bears fans were shocked when Ryan Poles drafted a center in Jones during the second round of the draft. Jones has a legitimate chance to start as a rookie because he's already 25-years-old, making him physically ready for the pros.
At Iowa, he started 51 games, so he understands this position. While there, he was a Unanimous All-American and won the Rimington Award. The Bears were linked to another Hawkeye center before signing Bradbury, who was Tyler Linderbaum. Clearly, Iowa has had a good center come out of there, so if Linderbaum's production can be replicated by Jones, then he might take control of the starting spot.
Read more: Luther Burden has breakout season written all over him (and here's why)
Having a center who can hold it down is crucial this season for a mobile playmaker like Caleb Williams. The already established chemistry between Bradbury and Thuney might edge out Jones in the battle for center.
Add us as a preferred source on Google