Chicago Bears: 5 Bold predictions for 2021 NFL season

3. Larry Borom becomes the starting left tackle

After the Chicago Bears pulled off what some consider the biggest move in franchise history by trading up to draft Fields, they weren’t finished. They ended up selecting the player most draft analysts expected them to take in the first round — Teven Jenkins.

Soon after picking up Jenkins the Bears made Jenkins the starting left tackle. The team cut the previous starter, Charles Leno Jr.

Jenkins starting took a hit, however, when he had to have back surgery. While some feel his season is over before it started, the team holds out hope that he’ll return in November. To replace him, the Bears signed veteran Jason Peters.

Peters is a future Hall of Fame left tackle but he isn’t the player he once was. His body isn’t the same, as he missed 11 games in the past two seasons. No matter how he does this season, expect him to miss some games.

That makes the backup left tackle so crucial. The Bears released the depth chart, and another rookie, Larry Borom, is Peters’ backup. He was the Bears’ fifth-round pick this year. He had a good training camp and did well in preseason games. With the injuries and COVID hitting the offensive line, he got to work all along the line. He especially got a lot of snaps at left tackle so the coaches feel comfortable with him there. He has the strength and agility to do a good job on the left side.

The Bears expected to have a rookie at left tackle and they’ll have one before the end of the season. However, that rookie will be Borom and not Jenkins. He’s done a good job there already and he’ll only get better.