The right guard position on the Chicago Bears is still in flux, whether it’s Ryan Bates or Nate Davis.
In a media conference on September 9, Bears coach Matt Eberflus disclosed that the club will continue to alternate both offensive linemen at right guard during the week, in anticipation of the team’s Week 2 Sunday Night Football game against the Houston Texans.
According to Eberflus, “We’re going to look at it this week and we’ll see where it is,” the Chicago Sun-Times said. “Both players are skilled guards who have played the position for a long time. We will allow that to transpire.
The Bears want to see both Bates and Davis gain meaningful game experience because they both lost time throughout training camp and the preseason due to injury. As of now, going into Week 2, Davis seems to be the favorite, but things could change at any time.
How do the Bears intend to use OL Ryan Bates and RG Nate Davis?
The Bears switched around right guards Davis and Bates in their opening game against the Tennessee Titans. When Davis left the field and Bates took his place, some questioned whether Davis had been benched. However, Eberflus stated during the game that the team had prepared a rotation beforehand.
Coach Flus stated, “That was the plan,” following Chicago’s 24-27 victory over Tennessee. During training camp, health concerns were a concern for both individuals. Our goal was to ensure that they could complete the game. There, we were going two and two.
In 2023, the Bears signed Davis to a $30 million, three-year contract ($17.5 million fully guaranteed). Davis is a capable starter when healthy, but his durability has been a problem. It is Davis’s job to lose given their financial commitment to him.
Although Davis appeared slightly better in the movie, Bates and Davis both had strong moments versus the Titans. According to PFF, Bates didn’t allow a sack or a pressure in 22 pass block snaps against the Titans. Davis gave up a single hurry while playing 13 pass block snaps.
Some of Bates’ plays from Week 1 were collected by Quinten Krzysko of On tap Sports Net, and as you can see below, Bates struggled on a number of occasions:
#Bears RG Ryan Bates split reps with Nate Davis, actually out snapping Davis 38-18.
To put this into terms of auto insurance, every other player on the Bears interior experienced multiple total losses Sunday. Bates only had one, but he had more fender benders than anyone. If… pic.twitter.com/6r8E1S5kmK
— Quinten Krzysko (@ButkusStats) September 10, 2024
Bears’ top priority going into week two is center.
The Bears could use some steadiness at center, so maybe Bates would be a better fit there. He was originally added by the team with the intention of facing Coleman Shelton, but injuries made it impossible.
Shelton gave up a sack in 35 pass block snaps in the Titans game. Additionally, he received two holding flags. Should Shelton’s difficulties persist, the Bears might consider trying Bates at center. It would make sense because Bates has already proven himself to be a leader on the team.
“I think it would most likely be Ryan Bates taking the lead and speaking up.” Teven Jenkins, an offensive lineman, stated in July that “he’s more of our vocal guy.”
“There are a lot of young guys in the room right now,” Bates remarked as training camp got underway. “As of right now, in Year 6, I might be the third or fourth oldest person in the room. We’re a young group, but we’re already progressing quite nicely. As I have stated, I’m taking on that job and relishing the leadership element of it.
We’ll see what transpires, but Bates is okay with the Bears adding him in part due to his versatility.
“I know the interior three (positions), and I’m ready,” he continued. “I’m attempting to develop a thorough grasp of this offense. I’m becoming more and more knowledgeable every day, but certainly, I’ll always be prepared to alter roles as necessary.
Nick Wright Projects Caleb Williams’ Performance in Week Two.
No rookie in the NFL had as much anticipation and fanfare going into his first game as Chicago Bears’ No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams in 2024.
Despite the Bears’ legendary history of failing to draft a franchise quarterback, Williams brought a dynamic to the table that inspired optimism for the team’s future.
Sadly, Williams’ NFL debut was a huge letdown for him and those supporters, as he was unable to generate any offensive production for a squad that was anticipated to be strong in that area.
Williams had such a bad game that he couldn’t even reach 100 yards throwing; he ended up with just 93 yards passing on just 14 of his 29 attempts, which is certainly insufficient to get the job done.
In order to win their first game of the season against the Tennessee Titans, the Bears had to rely heavily on their defense and special teams. However, FOX Sports pundit Nick Wright stated that he thinks Williams will have a different experience in Week 2 against the Houston Texans.
“There’s a greater chance that he outperforms [Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud] than that he plays that kind of game again. Regarding Williams, Wright predicted that he would have about 250 yards, two touchdowns, and one pick on “First Things First.”
"It is more likely that he outplays CJ than he plays that type of game again… I think he's going to have like 250 yards, two touchdowns and one pick."
— @getnickwright on Caleb Williams pic.twitter.com/Cqceetj36p
— First Things First (@FTFonFS1) September 11, 2024
Wright is taking the sanguine stance that Williams will bounce back from his dismal NFL debut, but it’s audacious to suggest that it’s more possible that he will outperform Stroud than put up another subpar showing.
Now in his second NFL season, Stroud has repeatedly shown that he is the genuine deal. Against a team that has received an absurd amount of hype, he will probably try to make an impression in Week 2 on his home field.
