There have been many frustrating factors in the Chicago Bears’ offense in the first five weeks of the season. But perhaps none more than the run game, which continues to stall out behind a struggling offensive line.
Right guard Kyle Long, who was placed on season-ending injured reserve Monday, has been the target of criticism. But it’s not just one guy on that offensive line that’s at fault.
“We know there’s a lot more to our run game than one person, for instance Kyle Long,” Bears coach Matt Nagy said Monday. “There’s a lot more to it than him.”
A lot more being left tackle Charles Leno Jr., who has racked up the most penalties in the NFL; center James Daniels, who is struggling to acclimate to his new role; and left guard Cody Whitehair and right tackle Bobby Massie, who aren’t performing to their contract extensions.
Whoever winds up replacing Long at right guard, be it Ted Larsen, Rashaad Coward or Alex Bars, will soon feel a similar pressure.
The Bears have invested a lot in this offensive line, be it money or draft picks. Simply put, this unit must play better.
“Our guys on that line will be the first to tell you that they want to play better,” Nagy said. “That’s no secret. So now they’re going to get, guaranteed, 11 more chances to do that, and we’ll see where it goes.
“I just really appreciate who our guys are because they can handle criticism, and they understand that’s an element to us getting better on offense.”
That criticism has been loud after five weeks of disappointment on offense. If this offense doesn’t find a way to fix things — and fast — that criticism will become deafening.
