One thing that can never be underestimated is how valuable building a coaching staff can be. The Chicago Bears seemed to lose sight of that for a long time over the past decade. Thankfully head coach Matt Nagy learned his lesson from Andy Reid well. He understands it isn’t about hiring friends. It must be about getting the best men possible for the job.
That is what led them to seek out offensive line coach Harry Hiestand. He was unquestionably one of the best in the business at his job on any level. The work he’d done at Notre Dame alone prove that with no fewer than four offensive linemen eventually becoming 1st round picks thanks to his efforts. What many don’t know is just how far his impact goes.
One player who understands is Alex Bars. The undrafted free agent from Notre Dame got to play most of his college career under Hiestand. The biggest reason he signed with Chicago was to reunite with the veteran coach. Having just recently returned to practice after recovering from a knee injury, he made an interesting revelation
Chicago Bears were a hot destination for offensive line standouts
The 2018 draft was a pinnacle moment for the Notre Dame offensive line legacy. Not one but two of their number became top 10 picks. Guard Quenton Nelson went 6th overall to the Indianapolis Colts. Then left tackle Mike McGlinchey went 9th overall to the San Francisco 49ers. According to Bars though, as he told JJ Stankevitz of NBC Chicago, they were both quietly hoping they’d end up with the Bears.
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Bars played under Hiestand’s tutelage at Notre Dame from 2014-2017, and said he always wanted to wind up with the Bears to work with his former coach — just as 2018 top-10 picks Quenton Nelson and Mike McGlinchey hoped to as well.
“I remember talking about that, because they both wanted to play for him,” Bars said. “They understand where he can take you and how phenomenal a coach he is, so they both wanted that. And I’m just the same way.”
Nelson never had a chance to realize that dream. Indianapolis took him two slots before the Bears selection at #8 overall. McGlinchey though was right there when they went on the clock. There is no question he would’ve made the offensive line better, but the Bears felt they had a nice duo already in Charles Leno and Bobby Massie. So they went with Roquan Smith instead.
Nelson was an All-Pro as a rookie. McGlinchey had a solid first year as well. It’s interesting to think about what that front might’ve looked like with either of them involved. Not that the Bears regret anything about taking Smith. Just a fun what-if that they apparently still think about.
