The Chicago Bears have a crisis on their offensive line. That much was obvious last Sunday when the Cleveland Browns toasted them, sacking Justin Fields nine times. This should lead to serious discussions among the coaching staff. Perhaps the time might be right to consider some changes. Find ways to get the best possible blockers on the field. One solution they might want to consider? Moving James Daniels back to his original position.
People forget that when he arrived in the NFL, the 23-year old was considered one of the best centers in the country coming out of Iowa. At the time, the Bears still had Cody Whitehair in that spot so Daniels played left guard. However, in 2019 the team attempted to shift him into the middle. A plan they always seemed to have in mind. Unfortunately, it didn’t work out. After eight games, he and Whitehair went back to their original spots.
Was it really that bad?
Not entirely. Daniels’ struggles can be traced to two really tough games. One against the Saints where he gave up four pressures including two hits on the quarterback and another against Philadelphia where he allowed three. In the other six games he played at center? He allowed just one pressure. He also showed lots of promise as a run blocker during that stretch. The primary issue cited was his lack of communication ability. A common byproduct of guys as young as he was.
He’s much more mature now. Battle-tested and experienced. It might be time to give him another shot. Not just because it’s a more natural position for him than right guard, but also because Sam Mustipher has become a liability. There was no better story in 2020 when the former undrafted free agent stepped in to stabilize the line. However, time has proven the guy just doesn’t have the size or the strength to hold up in the middle. He’s allowed five pressures in the past two games including a sack and offered almost no help in the run game.
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.@browns @Flash_Garrett with a 4 man rush with a delayed twist v the @bears 7 man max protection. Anyone who has played any amount of time in this #NFL has experienced the dark side of this. It’s not fun; especially when the QB is making his 1st start #BaldysBreakdowns pic.twitter.com/PDnsVMnfXQ
— Brian Baldinger (@BaldyNFL) September 28, 2021
James Daniels would certainly upgrade the talent level
He is significantly more gifted than Mustipher. Bigger, stronger, and more athletic. That is just a fact. Putting him in a spot he’s more familiar with would likely help him. Remember he’s never played right guard before and it shows. By moving him to the middle, it might enable the Bears to get somebody else at right guard who knows it better. Perhaps Alex Bars can take over like he did late last season or maybe they move Germain Ifedi back inside and put Elijah Wilkinson at right tackle.
There is no perfect solution to this situation. The Bears simply don’t have the horses to field a good offensive line. Their goal right now must be to get the five best blockers they can together. Right now it doesn’t look like Mustipher belongs in that conversation. Whitehair has been there, done that at center. It just isn’t the position for him.
That leaves James Daniels.
Maybe he wasn’t ready the first time. Maybe the Bears pulled the plug too early. Either way, he is their best option to get that center spot settled down. Figuring out the right guard problem will be much simpler compared to that. If he does well? Then the team finally has that critical position locked down going into a pivotal offseason.
