The Chicago Bears have kicked off training camp, and there are plenty of storylines we’re monitoring this summer. One of the biggest is the offensive line — specifically, what will the starting combination look like? And how quickly are they going to figure that out?
Head coach Matt Eberflus reiterated that all starting combinations are open heading into training camp. Although it certainly appears that things are becoming clearer following the additions of veterans Riley Reiff and Michael Schofield.
There were some interesting developments during Saturday’s practice, which included a new face at center and Reiff and Schofield seeing an increased workload.
Here’s a look at how the offensive line shook out during the second practice of training camp on Saturday:
Left tackle
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Veteran Riley Reiff continues his ramp-up period after signing with the team earlier this week. Reiff got some reps at left tackle with the first-team during team drills on Saturday. He continued to rotate with rookie Braxton Jones, who has been working primarily with the starters at left tackle this summer. But when the team returns to practice on Monday, the expectation is Reiff should get a bulk of the starting reps at left tackle.
Left guard
AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh
Cody Whitehair might still feel like a young player, but he was given a veteran rest day on Friday. That gave rookie Zachary Thomas plenty of reps at left guard with the starters. Thomas has served as Whitehair’s backup since the spring. But with Whitehair returning to practice on Saturday, Thomas was back working with the second-team.
Center
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With Lucas Patrick sidelined indefinitely with a right hand injury, there’s been some development at center. Rookie Doug Kramer replaced Patrick after his injury, and he’s been getting most of the reps at center with the first-team this week. But it was Sam Mustipher who saw a bulk of the reps at center with the first-team during Saturday’s practice. Mustipher started all 17 games at center for the Bears last season, so he brings experience to the position with Patrick out. The expectation is Mustipher and Kramer will continue to split reps at center with Patrick sidelined.
Right guard
Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports
There’s been plenty of shuffling along the offensive line following Patrick’s injury. With Mustipher getting a bulk of the work at center, that opened the door for rookie Ja’Tyre Carter to get reps at right guard with the starters. Newcomer Michael Schofield also saw work with the first-team at right guard during the 11-on-11 period. As Schofield continues to get up to speed with the playbook, the expectation is he should see more starting reps at right guard.
Right tackle
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Teven Jenkins missed his third straight practice as he continues to “work through something with trainers,” according to head coach Matt Eberflus. Not that it likely would’ve made much difference in the battle at right tackle. Larry Borom has occupied the position since OTAs, and he’s been with the first-team offense through these first four practices. At this point, it feels like Borom’s job to lose.
Starters on Day 4
Here’s a look at who lined up with the starters during team drills:
- LT: Riley Reiff
- LG: Cody Whitehair
- C: Sam Mustipher
- RG: Ja’Tyre Carter*
- RT: Larry Borom
*rookie
Our Projected Starters for 2022 season
Here’s our projected starting offensive line for Week 1:
- LT: Riley Reiff
- LG: Cody Whitehair
- C: Lucas Patrick
- RG: Michael Schofield
- RT: Larry Borom
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