Why The Bears Are Right To Think Germain Ifedi Will Rebound In Chicago

The Chicago Bears made a lot of moves this offseason to help improve their team. Some were lauded. Others? Not so much. One of the most questioned was their signing of Germain Ifedi. By itself, the deal wasn't bad. They scored a former 1st round pick from Seattle who is still young with lots of starting experience for pennies. That isn't the concerning part. What has people confused is how the Bears seem to think that he can have success moving back to guard and be their starter in 2020.

That sounds like a pretty big leap of faith. Seattle had four seasons to know for sure whether or not Ifedi had it. They decided to pass on bringing him back. So why should the Bears feel they have the answers? GM Ryan Pace argued part of the problem was the Seahawks played him out of position. They started Ifedi three of his four seasons at tackle while the Bears viewed him as a more natural guard. A stance the player himself shares.

They also have a new offensive line coach who is a big fan, which helps their confidence.

"We’ve kept close tabs on him. He’s a talented player — 36-inch arms, highly intelligent. I know Juan Castillo is really high on this player, too and how he feels he can make him better, which we’re confident in. So we’re excited to get him where we got him."

So are the Bears right to think this way?

Germain Ifedi would not be the first such success story

Believe it or not, the Bears have a bit of a history when it comes to capitalizing on other teams giving up on former 1st round offensive linemen. In 1999, they grabbed Blake Brockermeyer fresh off four years in Carolina. The Panthers decided not to offer him a new deal. Upon arrival in Chicago, he became their starting left tackle. That first season in 1999 the Bears finished 3rd in passing. Then in 2000 and 2001, he helped pave the way for both James Allen and Anthony Thomas to have 1,000-yard rushing seasons.

His decision to leave in 2002 as a free agent is probably one he regrets to this day. Despite signing a deal with Denver, he never became a full-time starter again.

Then there is Andy Heck. This one should strike a chord with the Ifedi scenario. Why? He's a former 1st round pick who left Seattle to join the Bears. The former 15th overall pick had five seasons with the Seahawks but left in 1994 to sign with Chicago. There he had instant success. For the next five seasons, he was their starting left tackle. He anchored the line in 1995 that allowed just 15 sacks, leading Erik Kramer to set the Bears' single-season passing records for yards and touchdowns. Heck was a good football player who never got his due.

Why can't Ifedi, who is more gifted than either of those guys, do the same?