The Chicago Bears have two weeks of training camp in the books, and things are starting to become clearer with the offensive line.
Offensive coordinator Luke Getsy said that the offense live is far from solidified, but it’s hard to look at how things have transpired over the last two weeks and not see a pattern forming. Even with all of the shuffling along the line.
The Bears have a lot of confidence in rookie Braxton Jones, who has been getting all of the first-team reps at left tackle over the last week. While Jones was rotating with veteran Riley Reiff at left tackle, Reiff was moved to right tackle and Jones has been the left tackle ever since. We still have plenty of camp and preseason to go. But, at this point, it’s hard not to believe the left tackle job is Jones’ to lose.
Speaking of right tackle, Reiff has been rotating with Larry Borom at the position since being moved from left tackle. Notably, Reiff has been the first one out with the starters with Borom getting him opportunities with the starters. After missing seven straight practices, Teven Jenkins is back and in the mix to start at right tackle. Right now, Reiff appears to be the favorite to start at right tackle. But it would be ideal if either Borom or Jenkins managed to beat him out for the job.
Right guard might just be the wild-card position to watch on the offensive line. Veteran Michael Schofield has been getting most of the reps at right guard since getting up to speed. But rookie Ja’Tyre Carter has seen his opportunities, as well, rotating with Schofield. Then there’s Jenkins, who is competing for a starting job period. Perhaps that comes at tackle or maybe right guard. But looking at where things currently stand, Schofield appears on track to start at right guard.
Center is a position that shouldn’t be in flux, if not for Lucas Patrick’s right hand injury. With Patrick out indefinitely, the Bears have had to shuffle things. Sam Mustipher was kicked inside to center from right guard, where he’s been taking most of the starting reps. Rookie Doug Kramer has rotated with Mustipher at times, but it’s been mostly Mustipher. If Patrick isn’t back for Week 1, look for Mustipher to be the answer at center.
Cody Whitehair is the undisputed starter at left guard. But when he’s had a veteran rest day, it’s been rookie Zachary Taylor getting reps with the starters.
With two weeks of training camp in the books, here’s my prediction for the starting offensive line come Week 1:
- LT Braxton Jones
- LG Cody Whitehair
- C Lucas Patrick (Sam Mustipher if Patrick isn’t back from injury)
- RG Michael Schofield
- RT Riley Reiff
