Kyle Long has endured a lot in his NFL career. He had to live through one of the darkest periods in team history from 2014 to 2017 that saw win just 19 games. There was the heartbreak of the Packers defeat his rookie year and the utter chaos of the Marc Trestman era. Then there were the injuries. So many injuries. After not missing a single game his first three seasons, Long went on to miss 22 over the past three with ankle, shoulder, finger, and foot issues. Many of which required multiple surgeries to fix.
Suddenly a guy who looked like he could be one of the best offensive linemen ever to play in Chicago was left wondering if his career would be cut tragically short before he could experience the true pinnacle of success. His father Howie had won a Super Bowl with the Raiders. His brother Chris won two with New England and Philadelphia. It seemed like things were falling apart for Long, and just as the Bears were starting to get good again.
Eight games in 2018, he suffered a ligament tear in his foot. This knocked him out for almost two months. Thankfully he recovered in time to return for the team’s trip into the playoffs. Nobody deserved that experience more. Now Long is chomping at the bit for more. The best part is he’s healthy. He hasn’t missed a single practice thus far in training camp and even declined veteran off days.
The man is laser-focused on 2019. So much so that according to Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune, he didn’t even flinch when the Bears came asking for him to take a pay cut.
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Kyle Long willingly lost money to help the team
Long was making an average of $10 million per year coming into this year. The Bears, in need of salary cap flexibility, approached him about taking a reduction in his contract. Their reasons were obvious. He’d struggled to stay healthy and it was hard for them to justify that amount of money to a guy who couldn’t stay on the field.
Rather than make a big deal out of it, Long accepted without a single complaint.
“I said, ‘Take it,’ ” Long said of his reaction when the team asked. “I am betting on myself. If I can help the Bears while I am betting on myself, then great. Maybe we can get some guys signed (to extensions). There are some of my good friends that need to get paid. That will happen in due time. I trust (Ryan) Pace. I trust Nagy. I trust the McCaskeys. But no one wants to give money back.”
Obviously, it’s never easy to let people take money out of your pocket, but Long once again proved his selfless attitude. He didn’t have to give the Bears anything. Instead he saw his 2019 salary cut almost in half. A lot of players wouldn’t do that. That extra cash gave the team needed flexibility and should help them to prepare an extension for linemate Cody Whitehair.
Long himself believes he can play “five, six more years.” If he returns to his old form this season, the odds are he could earn a contract extension that is favorable both to himself and the team. Either way, this is another reminder that Chicago is lucky to have him.
