Chicago Bears Training Camp 2018: The fight at left guard

The Chicago Bears drafted James Daniels with the idea of him becoming a starter right away. At this time, however, he sees that he won’t be handed a job. He finds himself in a real battle for left guard.

The Chicago Bears have high hopes for James Daniels. The second round draft pick improves the offensive line, and with his ability to play center and guard, adds versatility.

After the Bears drafted Daniels, many simply inserted him into the starting lineup. The question was whether he’d take over the center or the left guard spot. After a couple of weeks into training camp, things aren’t that simple.

It seems that Cody Whitehair keeps his job at center. Daniels has taken his fair share of snaps at left guard, but the Bears are looking at another option as well. That other option is Eric Kush. Kush, a six-year veteran, is keeping Daniels working with the second and third-team offense. He didn’t just lay down for Daniels.

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Just to be clear, Daniels will become the starter eventually. The question now is whether that’ll be this season or next.

Kush is making a big push for that job. Having him do that is great for both men and for the Chicago Bears offense. He’s making Daniels work harder, and that quickens his learning arc. Daniels gets better quickly and that makes the line a force.

Kush has the advantage of already knowing head coach Matt Nagy. He played in 2013 and 2014 when Nagy was the quarterbacks coach in Kansas City. He’s picked up the system quickly and is forcing the issue on who should start. Nagy explained it:

"He’s doing a good job because he knows this offense. He’s bigger and stronger. Mentally, the game has slowed down for him. And Kush is never going to shy away from competition, and that’s the best part I like about him. He’s like, ‘Bring it on.’ And competition is great. Once we get going in the preseason, there is going to be some competition among the whole team with each other, and that’s how we get better."

As Nagy said, competition is good. It makes everyone better. Therefore, quarterback Mitch Trubisky has better protection and gets to make better throws. Everyone improves.

Who knows how this battle ends up. Daniels may end up starting this season. On the other hand, he may be a versatile backup until he gets his chance next season. Either way, it’s better to have too many players for one position than not enough, as the Bears had for the last few seasons.