Chicago Bears: Alex Bars is a valuable asset for offensive line

With the Chicago Bears offensive line suffering through a pile of injuries, Alex Bars is a bright spot. He’s showing just how valuable he is to the unit.

One of the biggest issues for the Chicago Bears last season was the injuries (and COVID) ravaging the offensive line. Things got so bad at one point that there were players at positions they never played.

With the injuries piling up, the offensive line struggled to open holes for the running game and protecting the quarterbacks. On the bright side, once the line got healthy (especially on the interior line) the offense started to move the ball and perform well.

From the start of training camp this year, the line is suffering from another rash of injuries and COVID. Prized rookie left tackle Teven Jenkins still hasn’t gotten on the field. Playing most of his college career on the right side, Jenkins needs as many reps as possible at left tackle. That hasn’t happened, however. Now his status as the starting left tackle could be in jeopardy.

Jenkins hasn’t been the only one dealing with injuries. Germain Ifedi, who was penciled in at right tackle, suffered a hip injury. Additionally, Lachavious Simmons (concussion protocol), Larry Borom (concussion protocol), Elijah Wilkinson (reserve/COVID list), and James Daniels (quad) have missed some or all of training camp so far.

The Bears had to go out and sign Gage Cervenka to help out.

One player is proving his value to the Chicago Bears offensive line

Just like last season, with all the injuries taking out linemen, the coaches ended up finding a positive among all the negativity. That positive is a player named Alex Bars.

Bars is one of those diamonds that the Chicago Bears found in the heap of charcoal. Bars was a standout at Notre Dame. During his senior season of the 2018 season, he received a second or third-round grade. However, he suffered an injury and ended up not getting drafted.

With the Bears having former Notre Dame offensive line coach Harry Hiestand on staff, Bars decided to go with a familiar face and he signed with the Bears. He’s done a pretty good job in a backup role.

During this year’s training camp, Bars has shown how valuable he can be for the Bears. WIth bodies constantly going down, he’s gone in at left tackle, right guard, and right tackle. He also has experience at left guard and even started a game at center last season.

Being the versatile player that he is, Bars says he doesn’t have any favorite position, via NBC Sports Chicago:

"I feel pretty comfortable across the board. I don’t have a favorite spot. From college on, that versatility has been part of my play.  So if I can transfer it to this level, that’s good."

One of the Bears’ priorities for the offensive line this offseason was to have multiple players who could play multiple positions. That was a good plan, except that it becomes difficult to execute that plan when everyone goes down at once.

Bars is proving to be one of the Chicago Bears offensive line’s most valuable assets. For one, he’s stayed healthy. For two, he’s gone everywhere he’s been asked and has done a good job. That could come in handy during the regular season.