The answer to the left tackle problem for the Bears is obvious, why aren't they pursuing it?
The Chicago Bears desperately need a quality left tackle, among other things. Anyone with a football brain can see that Charles Leno Jr. isn't the long term answer especially if the team is going to deploy a young quarterback to take the helm in 2017. Ironically enough, right tackle is also a glaring weakness on the Bears.
So how does Ryan Pace fix this?
It's actually pretty simple.
The Left Tackle Spot
Notably the most expensive position in the NFL, and definitely one of the most important, the left tackle spot is crucial for any team to have long term success... especially a team that doesn't have an elite quarterback. Proof of this lies in the tackle grades from last season, is it really a surprise that Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers both have their tackles graded out in the top 5? Of course not. Everybody knows a quarterback needs to be protected to be successful and the left tackle is responsible for the defenders the right-handers can't see coming. Chicago's duo of Leno and Bobby Massie graded out a 41st and 43rd, respectively, at BARELY "average." There's a reason why Massie was available in free agency and Leno was a seventh round pick, and it's because they are both backups. Elite left tackles almost never hit the free agent market, the Bears learned that with Jermon Bushrod. After signing a five-year deal with Chicago worth a ridiculous $35 milliion he was released due to multiple injuries with two years remaining. The Bears thought they found a diamond in the rough but Bushrod turned out to be damaged goods. (let's hope Pernell McPhee doesn't turn out the same way) Again, finding elite left tackles in free agency is incredibly rare. So, how about the draft? Well you can start by saying this year is very weak for offensive tackles. Most of the top prospects are predicted to play right, rather than left, because they all seemingly have physical attributes that are expected to restrict them at the next level. Cam Robinson, from Alabama, is widely considered the best football prospect coming out but he has a few concerns off the field that will likely restrict him from landing in the top 10. Point being there is no left tackle to draft, even at number three, that isn't going to fix the Bears' problem.Why Not Just Leave Leno There
Well, that is certainly an option but it has some drawbacks. The Bears only gave up 28 sacks last season, so the numbers may not indicate to everyone that there's an immediate need at the position. Here are the drawbacks. First, Leno is BARELY average as we've discussed. He was also a seventh round pick with multiple weaknesses laid out in his draft profile and most of them are still true today. You can look up the detailed information for yourself because there's only one real stat you have to see to make the point clear. Leno was graded out at 48.6 for run blocking and that was among the lowest of any starting tackle in the entire league. The grading key from Pro Football Focus generously lists that grade as "poor" but it should really say "fucking pathetic." Second, Leno only has one more year on his contract. You really didn't think Chicago was going to get by paying their left tackle $600k for too much longer did you? If the Bears roll him out as the starter again this year, and he performs better than expected, Pace will be faced with a huge decision whether to give him a new contract or not. You better believe Leno is going to be looking for starter money if he's the starter for the Bears again this year. So what do you do then? If you extend him you're now cementing your future with a less-than-average player at one of the most important positions in the league. If you choose not to pay him, you will be stuck with no plan at one of the most important positions in the league. Third, one of the biggest offensive assets Chicago has right now is running back Jordan Howard. After finishing second in the league in rushing with roughly only 250 carries, imagine how much better he could have done without having to avoid the right defensive end on every single play? Leno was a TURRIBLE run blocker in 2016 while the interior of the offensive line excelled. It's clear Leno is a problem. If you choose to keep him then you are simply avoiding the inevitable. So, what's the answer to fixing the problem? You're really going to be surprised how simple it is.Hroniss Grasu
No, I am not saying Grasu is the answer at left tackle. What I am saying is Grasu is the key to implementing the obvious solution. After starting out his NFL career "undersized" for the offensive line, Grasu was said to have fantastic fundamentals that were just too good to ignore coming out of Oregon. That is why Pace drafted him in the third round of the 2015 draft. After starting eight games for the Bears his rookie season, the coaching staff wanted more. They challenged Grasu to get a little bigger and legitimately compete to be a starter in 2016. Think about it, Pace took him in the third round nobody wants him to succeed more. Grasu was off to a fantastic start in training camp and pushing very hard to become the team's starting center, until he tore his ACL and got sidelined for the season. That is what prompted moving over Cody Whitehair from guard and, as we all know, he went on to excel at center for the rest of the season."That was a tough one," quarterback Jay Cutler said after Monday's practice. "I’ve played with a lot of guys, and he’s one of my favorites, even in a short amount of time. I had a hard time with that one yesterday, getting over that. I think guys are probably still feeling the effects a little bit today. "He’s so selfless. He’s everything you talk about when you talk about a team guy. Kind of the core of the offensive line."Here's the problem, which is a good problem to have, Grasu is getting healthy now... and he has no place to go.
