The Chicago Bears are hoping things will be very different this season, and are trying to help make that change happen by moving Kyle Long to right tackle, hoping it helps give the offensive line a boost.
For most of Jay Cutler’s time in Chicago, he hasn’t had a very good line in front of him to protect the pass. There were a couple of better years, but overall, the experience hasn’t been fun for him, although he himself hasn’t played at the level expected of him, putting a lot of pressure on him to perform in 2015 or play somewhere else in 2016, losing a lot of money in the process.
Kyle Long, the Bears’ first round pick in 2013, has been the bright spot in all of this. He has made the Pro Bowl twice since being drafted by the Bears, named to the second team All-Pro last year. However, he did that from the right guard position. Now it’s something completely different.
The Bears aren’t happy with their right tackle spot, and had to make a move. Both Jordan Mills (released) and Charles Leno are considered by many to be replacement-level players at best. For a team with a little bit more depth at the right guard position, moving Long to the edge of the offensive line might not be such a bad idea, although maybe at some point rookie Tayo Fabuluje is going to get some playing time and develop into someone who can hold the position.
While Long shifts right, the pick up of Patrick Omameh means the former Tampa Bay Buccaneers starter will take over the right guard position. The Bears were ranked in the middle of the pack at both pass and run protection last season. They’re hoping this move gets them closer to the top 10, and provide Cutler with the time and space he needs to find some more acceptable ability again.