The Chicago Bears have one of the most obvious needs to fill this offseason, needing a desperate upgrade at left tackle. Reports early on were that they had been in contact with free agents Jake Long and Jermon Bushrod, and it is now officially being reported by Ian Rapaport that Bushrod and the Bears are finalizing a long-term contract at this moment.
Jermon Bushrod signs with Bears, according to report
The Bears, and especially Jay Cutler, are hoping the Bushrod can finally bring the stability on the offensive line that they have severely lacked.
Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
The Bears started J'Marcus Webb at left tackle last year with poor results. Bears' quarterbacks were sacked 44 times and Chicago finished 28th in total offense, while the team finished one game out of the playoffs following a 7-1 start. Bushrod should be a major improvement over Webb and help get the offensive line back on the right track.
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Bushrod was a fourth round pick of the New Orleans Saints in 2007 out of Towson. He ascended to starter in 2009 and helped New Orleans win their first Super Bowl championship. He led the NFL in snaps in 2011 (1,177) and made the Pro Bowl in each of the last two years, helping block for one of the best offenses in the NFL. Now Chicago is banking on him doing that again over the next several years for Jay Cutler, Brandon Marshall, and Matt Forte.
It would be hard for him to do worse than the last few guys to handle the position.
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