(670 The Score) As the Bears concluded their offseason program last week in Lake Forest, their starting offensive line was beginning to take shape.
Rookie Braxton Jones looks like he might be the fit at left tackle, veteran Cody Whitehair was back at left guard, free-agent addition Lucas Patrick was set at center and second-year pro Larry Borom had moved to the right tackle position.
But the Bears don’t seem to be close to finding a solution at right guard, and the lack of stability at that position is a concern for the entire offensive line.
Veteran offensive lineman Dakota Dozier seemed to have the edge at right guard before suffering a serious knee injury during practice on June 14 in veteran minicamp. The Bears have since placed him on injured reserve, and he's expected to miss the entire season.
The Bears then turned to Sam Mustipher, who has played in 26 games over the last two seasons as their starting center, to man the right guard position. If Mustipher is considered the Bears’ best option there, then perhaps they might be best-suited moving him back to center and sliding Patrick to right guard.
The Bears could also consider using second-year tackle Teven Jenkins at right guard. A second-round pick of the Bears’ previous regime in 2021, Jenkins has been demoted to the second-team offense. Meanwhile, the rookie Jones seems to have the belief of the front office and coaching staff that selected him in the fifth round in late April.
Eberflus suggested the Bears would discuss Jenkins’ place on the offensive line during a personnel meeting after minicamp ended last week.
“There could be switches after this segment of the offseason leading into training camp,” Eberflus said. “So, we’re just taking it day by day.”
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Rookies Zachary Thomas, Doug Kramer and Ja’Tyre Carter could also be options for the Bears’ starting offensive line. Each rookie received an opportunity with the starting group in minicamp as the shuffling of the offensive line continued.
Back in March, the Bears signed restricted free agent Ryan Bates to four-year offer sheet with the hope that he could be their starting right guard. The Bills matched that offer, and the Bears haven't yet found an answer for that void.
The Bears could still look to the open market to add an offensive lineman. JC Tretter, an eight-year NFL veteran center, remains a free agent. Ereck Flowers, who's 28, also remains unsigned. But there’s usually a reason why a veteran remains a free agent into training camp, whether that’s due to injury concerns, declining performance or both.
The Bears are seeking a significant upgrade in the performance of their offensive line, which struggled considerably last season. Quarterback Justin Fields was sacked on a league-worst 11.8% of his dropbacks as a rookie. The poor protection contributed to Fields’ struggles as well as the injuries he dealt with in 2021.
Without a solution at right guard, the Bears’ offensive line could struggle once again this season.
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago’s sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.
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