Competition is everywhere on the Chicago Bears offense right now. Most are obviously focused on the one between Mitch Trubisky and Nick Foles. However, they aren't alone. One continues taking place right in front of them along the offensive line. Specifically at right guard. There incumbent Rashaad Coward is battling former 1st round pick Germain Ifedi for the spot vacated by Kyle Long.
Coward, a former defensive lineman, transferred to tackle full-time last year. However, when Long went down with a hip injury and his backup Ted Larsen quickly got hurt too, the Bears were forced to shift him inside. It didn't go smoothly but all things considered, Coward held his own. This is why the Bears are giving him a chance to build upon what he accomplished.
However, early signs indicate it might be Ifedi's job to lose. New offensive line coach Juan Castillo was a big fan of his. That admiration has seemingly grown in the past week when the pads went on. Why? It seems the 26-year old has done something most others haven't been able to do thus far.
Block Akiem Hicks.
“There’s no hanging on,” Castillo said. “I think it’s going to practice and kicking ass. If you’ve been watching practicing, you’ve been watching him against (Hicks) … you know that Germain can match up with 96. He can match up with his quickness. He can match up with his size. He’s playing square. He’s using his hands. So I think it’s coming to practice and being able to block a guy like that consistently and I think that shows that he’s earned a starting job.”
Germain Ifedi has the right mindset for this
Anybody who has watched the Bears for the past four seasons knows one thing. Blocking Hicks is a chore. An absolute war on each and every snap. The fact that Ifedi hasn't allowed himself to effectively become roadkill despite logging snaps at guard for the first time since 2016? That is a welcome sign. Maybe the team made the correct assumption his talents are far better served in that spot.
Time will tell. Padded practices have only just begun. Coward isn't likely to go away quietly. Ifedi must sustain this success and even improve on it if possible. The Bears badly need a better performance from their offensive line in 2020. Especially in the running game. Something that is supposed to be a specialty of the veteran.
