Chicago Bears: Is it time to think about life without Kyle Long?

When Chicago Bears offensive lineman Kyle Long hits the field, he is a special player. But with injuries piling up in recent years, is it time to consider moving on?

I recently had a debate with someone on the internet (I know, that’s a mistake). This person said that he loved Chicago Bears offensive lineman Kyle Long. Long has a history of disintegrating trolls that’s as impressive as his play. This guy loves Long on and off the field. However, I’d rather Long cut down his Twitter game and raise his health game.

Don’t get me wrong, I love Long. He’s a beast on the field, and the offensive line is in better shape when he’s in there. The problem is that, for the past season and a half, he just cannot seem to stay on the field.

In Long’s first three seasons, he missed just one game. He was the epitome of an anchor, a workhorse. Perhaps his body took too much abuse during that time and now it’s getting to him, however. In the Bears’ past 25 games, he’s missed nine of them.

Additionally, there are games like in Week 8 against the New Orleans Saints when he played early, but then left and didn’t return. Also, last week against the Green Bay Packers he was active, but never went into the game. So, basically, he’s missed 11 games since last season. Long being out of the lineup frustrates everyone. The line struggles, Mitch Trubisky struggles, and the fans get upset.

Is it time to consider parting ways with Long?

I’d love to have Long become another Bears legend. His coaches need him, as his teammates on the line look up to him. However, can the team continue to depend on him and risk the development of Trubisky waiting on Long to get healthy again?

The Bears need to retool the line in order to be more competitive. Decisions already need to be made on Bobby Massie and Josh Sitton. Massie has an out in his contract after this season. He hasn’t been the player the Bears wanted when they signed him. I think the Bears take that out.

Sitton, on the other hand, costs the Bears about $8.7 million on the salary cap. Rumors spread before the trade deadline that the Bears considered trading Sitton. If true, then it makes sense that they’d let go of him in the offseason.

Next: 7 Possible replacements for John Fox

Long costs the Bears $8.8 million against the cap, so I think either Long or Sitton leave (Charles Leno Jr. just signed an extension, so unfortunately he stays). Maybe Long survives and plays next season, but the Bears also have an out after next season. They may already be thinking about that and may pull the trigger if he has another season of dealing with injuries.