Getty The Chicago Bears are reportedly interested in former Saints OL Larry Warford
Could the Chicago Bears still add a savvy and talented presence to their offensive line? According to Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune, they’re at least considering it. After the New Orleans Saints released three-time Pro Bowl guard Larry Warford Friday, the Bears could be ready to pounce.
According to Biggs, “a league source said the Bears are at least considering pursuing guard Larry Warford, whom the Saints cut Friday.”
The Saints drafted Michigan center Cesar Ruiz with their first overall pick in the first round of the draft this year, and they released Warford Friday to save cap room.
Warford, who turns 29 in June, spent his first four years with the Detroit Lions before making the Pro Bowl in each of the last three seasons as starting right guard for the Saints. It just so happens the Bears’ biggest area of need is the offensive line, particularly at right guard.
Warford Would Provide Bears Veteran Leadership, No Injury Red Flags
GettyRight guard Larry Warford spent his first four years in Detroit with the Lions. The Bears are now reportedly interested in him. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
In his last three seasons with the Saints, Warford started 44 games and never played less than 80 percent of the team’s offensive snaps in any of his three seasons. Warford was equally durable in Detroit, starting 57 games in his four years with the Lions. Durability at the right guard position is something the Bears desperately need after the retirement of Kyle Long, and Warford would give them that. He has never missed more than three games in a season.
Warford will likely be in high demand, and the Bears don’t have a lot of cap space, but it’s entirely possible Ryan Pace could get creative with a contract restructure or two (Allen Robinson please, and than you) and make the deal happen. Warford will be in immediate demand, as he is one of the top 15 guards in the league. Pro Football Focus ranked him as the 11th overall guard in 2019.
Could Warford Solve Bears’ O-Line Issues?
Perhaps ‘solve’ is a strong word, but if the Bears could manage to snag Warford, his presence alone would drastically shift the entire offensive line from subpar to formidable. Cody Whitehair, who has proven to be the most reliable and versatile member of the Bears’ offensive line, along with Warford, creates a one-two punch the offensive line hasn’t seen in awhile. Throw in James Daniels, and you have a solid front three on the interior of the offensive line.
Daniels is just 22-years-old; he turns 23 in September. The former second-round pick is still learning, and has come a long way in his two seasons in the league. According to Pro Football Focus, Daniels’ “73.9 grade at left guard … ranked fifth among 39 qualifiers” in 2019. He started the season at center, but didn’t play well at the position, so the team moved him to guard, where he played far better. Daniels at left guard with Whitehair at center and Warford at right guard? There aren’t many Bears fans who wouldn’t sign up for that.
I don’t want to get my hopes up, because I know several teams are probably interested in him.
But Larry Warford, Cody Whitehair and James Daniels would be a great trio along the interior for the #Bears. Would really help shore up that offensive line.
READ NEXT: QB Deshaun Watson Puts the Bears on Blast for ‘Never Once’ Talking Him During 2017 NFL Draft