I think Matt Pryor is going to start on Sunday.
Let me be clear. I don’t have anything official. And I’ll admit that while vibes and hunches are driving this feeling, there is also rational thought behind this stance. Plus, the ability to pick up context clues helps.
Here are some things to consider:
Bears Head Coach Matt Eberflus has banged the drum loudly for the importance of availability and let anyone who can hear it. Davis’ inability to get into and/or stay in the lineup has made his presence in the trenches a liability. Sure, Davis is talented and skilled. But so much of offensive line play is about five individuals playing as one unit. One band, one sound. Simply put, it has been challenging for the Bears to build continuity with Davis on the mend.
Should the Bears start Matt Pryor over Nate Davis?
Bears Head Coach Matt Eberflus began the week saying no changes were cܫoming to the offensive line. But the way things have developed this week hints at that not being the case.
feels telling:
Even though Coach Flus offers up the possibility of Matt 𝓡Pryor working in tandem with Nate Davis this week, I feel as if this is where I think an opportunity for Pryor to snag a spot in the starting lineup is presenting itself.
Matt Pryor has starting experience and versatility. He has 🌱played both tackle spots and both guard positions. So if the Bears were to turn to anyone to fill in for Nate Davis, it would make sꦓense if Pryor was that guy.
When the Bears’ offensive line was looking competent in the preseason, it had Pryor at right guard in Davis’ place. OK, so we’re talking about a sample in exhibition games with offenses going against basic defenses. With that in mind, I do not want to put too much stock in Matt Pryor’s performance from that time. But maybe there is something to be had there.
For whatever it’s worth, Matt Pryor was getting first-team reps this week practicing at left guard when Teven Jenkins was out of action while dealing with a thigh injury. So it is not as if he would be jumping into this mess with no experience. Plus, as I pointed out above, Pryor has previous experience working with the first-team offense dating back to the preseason.
If it was up to me, I’d let Pryor stay at left guard, slide Jenkins to right guard, and roll with a lineup that also features Braxton Jones at left tackle, Coleman Shelton at center, and Darnell Wright at right tackle until (1) Davis is healthy or (2) Ryan Bates comes off injured reserve and is healthy enough to make a case to play at center or guard. This isn’t a perfect scenario by any means. Heck, I’d struggle to call it ideal. But this group needs a shakeup. Perhaps Matt Pryor can provide a boost.
