The Chicago Bears have brought in offensive tackle Michael Schofield for a workout, according to ESPN’s Field Yates who shared the news via Twitter. Schofield, 31, spent last season with the Los Angeles Chargers starting 12 of 15 appearances. It was Schofield’s second stint with the Chargers after spending one year with the Carolina Panthers.
Chicago Bears Send Strong Message on OL by Hosting SB Champ for Workout
Plans Change
Aside from suggestions that they pursue some potential bargains in the trade market, no one expects the Bears to be players for anyone commanding top dollar until next offseason. Schofield would follow that ethos as someone still on the market at this stage of the offseason. But, as a veteran, he could also be taking a more conservative approach to his next team.
Veteran free agents often wait until after the voluntary portion of team activities to sign on with a new team so that is not necessarily a good tell of where Schofield’s play was last season.
Great pull block from Michael Schofield, too. Just a very well executed run from #Chargers O line. https://t.co/a7gd8a0uJz
— Daniel Popper (@danielrpopper) November 22, 2021
For what it is worth, Schofield’s grade from Pro Football Focus would have been behind last year’s starting left tackle, Jason Peters, and James Daniels who signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers this offseason. Schofield graded higher than anyone set to return for the Bears including Whitehair.
The Bears have defended their methodology so far.
But it would be a dereliction of duty to not take a look at Schofield – who won Super Bowl 50 with the Broncos in 2015 starting 13 regular season games and all three playoff contests.
Schofield, a Chicago-area native, has spent most of his career at guard where the Bears have a big hole. But he has spent time at several positions along the offensive line in his seven-year career.
[pickup_prop id=”24466″]
Almost Starting From Scratch
Chicago is set to open training camp this week with rookies already reporting on July 23 and veterans set to join them on July 26. The summer featured the buzz of rookie fifth-round pick Braxton Jones manning the left tackle spot. There are also questions about 2021 second-rounder Teven Jenkins who has thus far failed to take the lead at any position.
Jenkins’ draftmate, Larry Borom, has gotten more run at the right tackle spot while last year’s starter at center, Sam Mustipher, battled with free agent Dakota Dozier (IR) at right guard.
The only position that has continuity from last season will be Cody Whitehair manning the left guard spot. Chicago signed former Green Bay Packers lineman, Lucas Patrick to play center this season.
This is why Pro Football Focus ranked them 31st heading into next season.
Really hoping the #Bears sign OL Michael Schofield after working him out.
He has plenty of starting experience and finished last year with a 66.8 PFF grade and only 2 sacks allowed at guard for the Chargers. He'd instantly step in and be the favorite to start at RG.
— Jacob Infante (@jacobinfante24) July 24, 2022
It could mean all the world too if Peters is accurate in his assessment of Justin Fields.
“As long as the offensive line gives him some time, he’ll do OK this year. Once he gets that offensive line set, that guy’s going to be special because he can throw, he can run, he can make all the plays he needs to make.”
Peters also cautioned that Fields could look like a rookie in a new system under offensive coordinator Luke Getsy.
Season Hinges on the Front Line
The general thought that the Bears’ offensive line will not be conducive to his success in its current state is not a new one. That, and the Bears’ attempts at bargain hunting at wide receiver, have led some to question whether or not the front office is sold on Fields. General manager Ryan Poles has had to issue statements saying as much to calm some of that noise.
Chicago signed Schofield’s teammate from last season with the Chargers, Justin Jones, earlier in free agency. They also traded Khalil Mack there back in March.
Bears GM Ryan Poles on the Khalil Mack trade: “You knew you had to do what’s best for the club. … I wasn’t going to send him somewhere where he wasn’t happy. … I wanted him to make sure I cared. … it really was at the end of the day a win-win.” pic.twitter.com/tf2vSeDtEb
— Kevin Fishbain (@kfishbain) March 28, 2022
Many will defend what the Bears have done. But this might be the closest thing we get to an admission that they know they have not done enough for Fields or themselves to be successful even in the early stages of a rebuild.
