Stop me if you’ve heard this before: The Chicago Bears are going to have yet another starting offensive line combination — and we’re only in Week 7.
With right guard Nate Davis sidelined with an ankle injury and center Cody Whitehair’s struggles with snaps, there was bound to be some change ahead of Sunday’s game against the Las Vegas Raiders
So what can we expect the starting offensive line to look like Sunday?
According to The Athletic‘s Adam Jahns, Whitehair will in fact be in the lineup, and there’s plenty of shuffling along the interior. The tackle situation remains the same with Larry Borom at left tackle (in place of an injured Braxton Jones) and Darnell Wright at right tackle.
But the interior is where things get interesting: Lucas Patrick will be at center with Whitehair at left guard and Teven Jenkins moving to right guard as a result.
So @adamjahns on @HogeAndJahns said the starting OL on Sunday vs Raiders will be:
LT: Borom
LG: Whitehair
C: Patrick
RG: Jenkins
RT: Wright pic.twitter.com/Bp2FpJW1Tt— Bill Zimmerman (@BillTZimmerman) October 19, 2023
At this point, it’s become clear that Whitehair could be on his way out after this season. He’s struggled — both at left guard and center — and general manager Ryan Poles needs to shore up multiple positions along the offensive line this offseason.
But, for whatever reason, head coach Matt Eberflus is electing not to stick with benching Whitehair — which is exactly what he did last Sunday after his snapping issues. You’d think Chicago would like to get a look at second-year pro Ja’Tyre Carter, who’s shown promise at right guard, and not force Jenkins to move from his left guard spot just to make room for Whitehair.
This lineup could certainly change ahead of Sunday’s kickoff against the Raiders. But, at least right now, it doesn’t seem ideal.
