Chicago Bears Think They Have Kyle Long's Heir Apparent

A lot of people know that Kyle Long is probably done with the Chicago Bears. Nobody is happy about that. Watching the decline of a three-time Pro Bowler hasn't been easy. Especially given how popular and respected the man is among teammates and fans. However, four-straight years of going on IR with one bad injury after another? At some point, a team has to say enough is enough and cut the cord.

Releasing Long in 2020 will bring the team an additional $8 million in salary cap space. Something they will need with a number of contract issues to work out this spring. The big problem for many though is if he does leave, who's going to be the long-term replacement at right guard? The Bears have the two other interior spots locked down with Cody Whitehair and James Daniels. It's an important position to keep strong in this offense.

Most assume the team will make it a priority either in free agency or the draft. However, that might be a hasty assumption. Based on the words of offensive line coach Harry Hiestand, there is a strong belief at Halas Hall the team may already have their guy of the future in the former unheralded Rashaad Coward. The man who replaced Long back in October.

Chicago Bears love Coward's progression since taking over

Coward might be one of the coolest stories going for the Bears this year. Here's a guy who is an undrafted free agent in 2017. The coaching staff gets replaced the next year and the new staff comes forward with an offer. Would you be willing to switch to offensive line? Coward accepted the challenge and began working tirelessly to make the transition. He performs well enough in the preseason to earn a backup role at offensive tackle but never sees the field.

The next year he's again slotted as the backup tackle but fate intervenes when both Long and primary reserve Ted Larsen get hurt against the Minnesota Vikings. This forced Coward to slide into the right guard spot as an emergency option. All things considered, he actually played well. He wasn't a liability in pass protection and his nastiness showed up consistently in the running game. So when Long was placed in IR, the Bears decided to give him a legitimate chance to start.

Coward took that opportunity and ran with it. A big reason for the Bears' recent offensive success is the improvement up front and he's a big part of that. If what Hiestand says is true and the improvement continues, this could end up being one of the best undrafted find the franchise has had in years. Something to rival James "Big Cat" Williams, who coincidently was also a former defensive lineman who found his calling on the offensive line.