Get it out of your system today, my friends. Run those errands. Cross stuff off the chores list. Pick up those groceries. Because at this time tomorrow, you’re going to be locking in ahead of Bears-49ers.
It’s the Saturday before Week 1 and we still don’t know what the Bears’ starting offensive line will look like. At the core of the holdup is Lucas Patrick’s availability. The Bears signed Patrick to play center, but also knew he had the versatility to play guard. But things have become complicated. Patrick’s injured snapping hand and Teven Jenkins’ emergence as the top guard on the depth chart makes the line situation unknown. And it’s not as if Head Coach Matt Eberflus was cluing us in:
Reporter: What have you learned about Lucas Patrick’s functionality and how much is that settled where he’ll play or if he’ll play?
Eberflus: We’re still working through that. But he’s certainly has played inside all three positions. And he’s looked good at all spots.
Reporter: Do you know and just not want to say or do you literally not know until tomorrow?
Eberflus: I would say the first thing, yeah.
Ahhh, the old “we know, but won’t tell you” game. I’ll admit that it’s endearing for a while, but everything has an expiration date. My gut feeling tells me it’ll be Sam Mustipher at center and Lucas Patrick at right guard. On the one hand, I’m not sure I’m totally into it. After all, this is a year where the Bears should be finding potential long-term pieces. One of those pieces whose future is in question is Jenkins, who seems to be well-positioned to give answers with his play as to his fit at right guard. But if Patrick is playing right guard, it leaves Jenkins as the odd-man out. Just when you thought you had it figured out.
Also? How about Patrick practicing at three interior line spots. Not bad for someone listed only at center (first-string) and left guard (second-string behind Cody Whitehair). I know not to read too much into depth charts. But this is a timely reminder to not read too much into depth charts.
Other than the offensive line, the Bears’ receiving corps was *THE* position group we spent obsessing over figuring out what it’ll look like when Week 1 rolls around. We have a much better idea of what that group will look like to start the year. And perhaps it’ll be better than we think. Scouts who spoke with Dan Pompei (The Athletic) had some surprisingly complimentary things to say about some of Justin Fields’ potential targets. For instance, Pompei notes that “Scout A” said of Dante Pettis that he “looked like a No. 2 wide receiver at one point.” That same scout said Equanimeous St. Brown that “you really like the size” and described him as a “possession guy who will try to block you out.” Jerry Rice and Michael Irvin aren’t walking through that door, but maybe these Bears have some useful bridge pieces at receiver until the team finds clear upgrades who could provide long-term stability.
I’m rooting for Fields to turn those question-marks at receiver into exclamation points by year’s end. In reading through projections from ESPN’s Mike Clay, it hit me that Fields has a relatively favorable schedule of defenses ahead of him. Using Clay’s data, Fields has 12 games against 10 teams whose defenses have at least two position groups that rank league average or worse in terms of ranking going into the year. And that begins with the Niners, whose cornerbacks rank 18th and safeties are 25th. Other notable opponents with possible defensive warts include the Commanders (17th CB, 21st S), Vikings (23rd CB, 15th S), Cowboys (20th S, 31st Interior Defenders), Jets (20th CB, 23rd S), Falcons (21st DI, 31st S, 32nd Edge), and Seahawks (31st and 32nd on the DL).
Maybe Fields can get cooking early against the Texans (19th CB, 24th ED, 28th DI, 32nd S) in Week 3 and Giants (26th ED, 27th CB, 29th S, 30th LB) in Week 4.
Know before you go if you’re going to the game tomorrow:
What a weird contractual quirk (if this turns out to be the case):
Almost time for Robert Quinn to rectify this:
For your listening pleasure on this Saturday:
Another reminder that if you want a contract extension done ahead of Week 1, Drew Rosenhaus is the guy to hire:
A tight end getting $17 million per year is kinda bonkers, but Waller isn’t a run-of-the-mill tight end. Waller brings top-notch playmaking ability in the passing game, which makes him an X factor. Derek Carr must be thrilled with the Raiders’ offseason after getting Davante Adams in a trade and keeping Waller in the fold. It probably doesn’t hurt matters that Jon Gruden’s vibes are out of the building, too.
I find this stuff fascinating:
If you think this is weird, just wait until October and Cardinals Devil Magic™️ gets into full swing:
This could be interesting: