Bears training camp: 3 Players who will turn heads in Chicago

2. Germain Ifedi, Right Guard

The Chicago Bears’ offensive line was a mess last season. Penalties and injuries played a big part of the problem. In the offseason, right guard Kyle Long, one of the fans’ favorite players, retired after suffering a number of injuries over the past four seasons.

The Bears had Rashaad Coward start 10 games. He was a converted defensive player so he was still learning the position before he had to step in as a starter. He struggled at the position.

The team went out and signed free-agent Germain Ifedi to battle Coward (and second-year offensive lineman Alex Bars) for the starting spot. Ifedi was the Seattle Seahawks’ first-round draft pick in 2016 (31st overall). He started out at guard in his rookie season but the Seahawks moved him over right tackle in his second season.

That move didn’t go well. Ifedi struggled with athletic pass rushers on the edge and committed a lot of penalties because he couldn’t keep up with them. The Seahawks decided to let him walk this offseason.

The Bears signed Ifedi with the decision to move him back to guard. Since he had some success there as a rookie, the Bears hope that success returns.

Ifedi will be better than the coaches expected from him. At 6-foot-5, 325 pounds, he is a big block of a body on the line. He has good strength and will move bodies around. He will open gaping holes for the running backs to run through.

One of the problems with the injuries was that the entire right side went down. The running game could not get going on that side. In my own analysis, I found out that the Bears rushing on the right side only averaged 2.9 yards per carry. That number needs to improve and Ifedi will be the guy to help that happen.

Another thing Jahns said from camp was that Ifedi is already making an impression. He noted that Ifedi is already a heavy favorite to win the starting job. He’ll get a chance to impress the fans as soon as Week 1.