The Chicago Bears had a specific lineup in mind when the season began. Braxton Jones at left tackle, Cody Whitehair at left guard, Lucas Patrick at center, Teven Jenkins at right guard, and Larry Borom at right tackle. Thanks to a series of injury setbacks, that group played together in one game this season. Things have reached a crisis point for the Bears going into Week 16 against the Buffalo Bills. Patrick is already done for the year. Now expectations are that both Whitehair (knee) and Jenkins (neck) will also miss the game. That means their entire starting interior is out.
It has forced head coach Matt Eberflus and his staff to get creative. They already have a solution for the right guard spot in veteran Michael Schofield. He’s played that position for several years. It shouldn’t be an issue for him to step in. The problem is the left guard spot. Their only pure interior option is rookie Ja’Tyre Carter. Starting two rookies on the same side of the line against a front like Buffalo’s seems inadvisable. That might be why they’re considering something a little more unconventional.
While Borom isn’t the most consistent blocker at times, nobody can dispute he is reliable in protecting the quarterback. He’s been their best in that department at tackle this year. Perhaps moving him inside is good. He won’t have to cover as much ground, and his size makes it difficult to move with him with power. Adjusting from right tackle to left guard will be a challenge. It seems the coaches like what they’ve seen to this point. They better hope so. Bills defensive tackles Ed Oliver and DaQuan Jones have a combined 23 hits on opposing quarterbacks this year. Fields was sacked six times last week by Philadelphia.
This entire situation reinforces what the Chicago Bears must do in the off-season. Help is needed across the offensive line. It won’t be a surprise if three news starters are involved by the time 2023 kicks off. Borom has a chance to at least put his name in that conversation. His future at right tackle seems bleak right now. A good showing at guard could give him a window to compete next year. This will be an important audition for him and everybody else up front.
