While many anticipated that Kyle Long wouldn’t return to the Bears in 2020, his retirement still came as a bit of a shock considering his long tenure in Chicago.
But when Long joined Ian Rapoport on Rapoport and Friends, he said that the decision was an easy one considering how things had transpired for him as an athlete.
“It was the easiest decision I’ve ever made,” he said. “Because I didn’t recognize the guy on film. I was an ass-kicker … there became a point where I couldn’t do that anymore.”
Injuries are the reason that Long is hanging up his cleats, and they’re also the most frustrating part about his time in Chicago. A three-time Pro Bowler and second-team All-Pro in 2014, Long was one of the best guards in the NFL when he was healthy.
Unfortunately, he wasn’t able to stay healthy over the last four seasons. This was the fourth straight season that Long was placed on injured reserve, and he hasn’t played an entire season since 2015.
Could Long play more?
“Absolutely,” he said.
But that remains to be seen. Although, Long wouldn’t necessarily rule out a return to football after a hiatus where he can take some time to get healthy.
“It’s nice to be able to have a break,” Long said. “And I keep hearing the word ‘retired’ and you know, the air quotations ‘retirement’ and what that entails, and I think I’m more on hiatus trying to figure out what is next.”
If Long were to return to football, he made it clear that he would only ever play for the Bears.
“They did it right,” Long said about how the Bears gave him every opportunity in his career. “And I want to do it right by them. I’ll never wear another set of colors than navy and orange.”
