Something was missing from the Chicago Bears offensive line in 2019. Their inability to generate any movement in the ground game wasn’t so much due to their lack of power. It seemed more like a lack of proper mindset. It never felt like they were truly trying to get after people. A big reason for this was not having somebody in their mix who set the tone. A guy who brought the attitude and nasty. What Olin Kreutz was during his long run with the team. What Kyle Long was when he arrived.
The line didn’t have an ass-kicker.
Somebody who was going to say that the Bears were here for a fight and weren’t backing down from it. The way things have gone, it feels like the Bears still haven’t found their guy, which could mean they’ll try to find him in the upcoming NFL draft. Looking at the landscape of how things might play out, the one guy who stands out as a great fit for what they need is Clemson’s John Simpson.
“Broad, well-built snowplow of a guard with the traits and power to turn a crease into a full-fledged running lane. Teams looking to add physicality up front will covet Simpson, but keep in mind he was plenty effective with scoop blocks, pulls, second-level climbs and even screen blocking, which shows the big man can move.”
Bears offensive line would love what Simpson brings
Simpson is not the perfect prospect. There are some concerns about his quickness in pass protection. That said his game is well-rounded and he undoubtedly brings nastiness to the equation. There’s a reason the Clemson offense dominated so many opponents the past two years, especially on the ground. He imposed his will on a lot of guys and has a national championship ring to show for it.
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Simpson is 6’4 and 321 lbs with 34-inch arms. If he were a bit more nimble he would probably be a tackle. This how much of a physical specimen he is. He may not get all the media hype as others do but the Bears don’t need a darling for the cameras. They need somebody who will give David Montgomery lanes to run through. Somebody that won’t back down from fights if that’s what it comes to.
Are there better guard prospects in this class? Yes, one can make that argument. However, there is probably not a better fit in terms of what this Bears offense needs the most.
