Kyle Long Is Noticing A Big Change To Bears O-Line

Nobody can dispute that Kyle Long knows a thing or two about offensive line play. A guy doesn't go to three Pro Bowls by accident. He was the best blocker the Chicago Bears had in the 2010s. He probably could've been a Hall of Famer if not for the injuries. Even so, Long has maintained loyalty to the team that drafted him, always keeping track of how things are going. Unsurprisingly, most of his attention is on the offensive line. This is where his latest comment raised eyebrows.

While most of his career was spent in Chicago, Long did spend one season with the Kansas City Chiefs. He thought he understood the overall mentality of blockers by then. He soon realized he'd been mistaken. The moment he arrived, it was evident how much harder the line worked to protect Patrick Mahomes. It made him realize that guys seem to reach another gear when they know they have a legitimate quarterback behind them.

Why is this relevant? He admitted that he saw many of the same characteristics from the Bears' offensive line during their first two drives in Buffalo on Saturday. The two series they were protecting Caleb Williams.

Kyle Long sees the same signs as others.

Multiple teammates in the Bears locker room have said they see something special in Williams. The "it" factor is there. He's obviously talented, but he couples that with intelligence, poise, and ultra-competitiveness. It feels like guys suddenly have the confidence that they will have a chance to win every football game with him under center. Just like Long felt with Mahomes in Kansas City. These are no small comments. He isn't one to make them lightly. Long has always been an objective viewer despite his Bears roots.

He sees a Caleb Effect taking over the offensive line room. Buffalo never really got close to him on either of the two drives. The protection was stout the entire time. Don't forget this comes on the heels of rising concerns from practice that they were getting beat too often. Maybe they weren't taking it seriously because they knew Williams wouldn't get hit. Or maybe the Bears' defensive line is that good. Either way, Kyle Long has seen a shift in their behavior, which bodes well for what's coming.