Bears Scouts Seen Eyeing Mammoth Blocker For Justin Fields
The Chicago Bears are 3-6. That is the bad news. Their season is on life support with eight games still to play. The good news? Justin Fields has taken some massive steps forward in the past two weeks. More and more he is looking like a genuine future franchise quarterback this organization can build around. It isn’t a bold assumption that GM Ryan Pace, or whoever ends up replacing him, will prioritize finding him help next offseason. Both in free agency and the NFL draft.
To that end, it appears Bears scouts have been busy on that front. They were spotted on Thursday attending the highly-anticipated matchup between North Carolina and Pitt. While almost everybody was there to see the big-time battle between two top QB prospects in Sam Howell and Kenny Pickett, it is probable the Bears were not. Instead, they were likely watching the supporting casts of both men, seeing who served as the biggest contributors to their success.
21 NFL teams credentialed to attend Pitt. vs. North Carolina, including: ARZ, ATL, BUF, CAR, CHI, CLE, DEN, HOU, IND, LVR, MIN, NE, NO, NYG, PHI, PIT, SEA, SF, TB, TEN and WFT.
5 GMs in attendance: Paton (DEN), Mayock (LVR), Spielman (MIN), Roseman (PHI), and Colbert (PIT).
— Jordan Reid (@Jordan_Reid) November 11, 2021
Both QBs ended up playing well.
Howell threw for 296 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception. While it wasn’t enough to topple Pitt in overtime, it was a gutty performance. He was helped by getting some solid pass protection in key moments against what was a very strong Panthers defensive front. Perhaps no blocker on that Carolina offensive line has stood out more than Joshua Ezeudu. Though he is their left guard, he has experience at both tackle spots as well.
What stands out immediately about him is his mixture of three key qualities. Size, power, and awareness. Ezeudu has a big body and plenty of length to go with it, especially for a guard. He also shows an immediate knack to start a play blocking one guy and then being able to disengage and block another, both on designed runs and when picking up stunts in pass protection. He was third All-ACC last season and seems to be improving.
Backside of GH Counter teach tape by UNC right tackle Joshua Ezeudu
▪️Protect run-through/stunt in inside gap first
▪️Get hip-to-hip with the Center to seal gap
▪️Funnel backside pursuit to the outside pic.twitter.com/K9l4oHOdJZ— Brad Kelly (@CoachBKelly) January 13, 2021
Watch Joshua Ezeudu (North Carolina LT 75) finish this block. pic.twitter.com/0Fs4NX5yge
— Russell Brown (@RussNFLDraft) November 1, 2021
Justin Fields protection is an obvious focus for 2022
Remember that the Bears have notable questions regarding their offensive line. Both on the edges and the interior. Right guard James Daniels is a pending free agent. While his return seems like a given, it is not a guarantee. There are also question marks surrounding center Sam Mustipher and left tackle Jason Peters will likely retire after the season concludes as well. So it makes total sense the team would be intent on adding more bodies up front.
Where does Ezeudu fit in this? Don’t expect him to be a 1st round pick. Most agree he is a solid player but not what they’d call a premier prospect. It is more likely he goes at some point on Day 2 or early Day 3 of the draft. This is where it makes sense for the Bears. They have no 1st round pick anyway. So scouting potential players who might fall to where they can get them is logical. Justin Fields certainly won’t complain.
It will be interesting to see who else they may target in the months to come.
There is plenty of time left in the college season and tons of work to do. One can imagine wide receivers will be on their to-do list as well. Remember that Allen Robinson, Marquise Goodwin, and Damiere Byrd are all free agents as well. So the team may have to do some investing in Fields’ weaponry.