Chicago Bears: Jason Peters signed to alleviate OT concerns

The Chicago Bears signed veteran offensive tackle Jason Peters to alleviate some concerns with their young offensive tackle additions in 2021.

The Chicago Bears have had known issues across an offensive line that already moved on from both starting tackles Charles Leno and Bobby Massie this offseason. With no true starter and little depth to boot, the Bears needed to bolster their offensive line for whoever they plan on starting under center week 1 on Sunday Night Football against Aaron Donald and the Los Angeles Rams.

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Bears have agreed to terms with former Philadelphia Eagles Pro Bowl left tackle Jason Peters.

Peters, who has started 203 games in his NFL career is coming to Chicago at 39 years old with a ton of questions about whether or not his body can hold up for the duration of what’s now a 17-game NFL season. Peters was an integral part of the Eagles’ Super Bowl 52 Championship run in 2017.

Peters brings 15 years of experience to an offensive line that is currently being forced to shuffle the board thanks to injuries, COVID, and inexperience across the line.

Rookie second-round pick Teven Jenkins is dealing with a back injury that is likely to end him on the PUP list, or worse, Injured Reserve. The Bears need bodies by any means at this point, especially if rookie QB Justin Fields ends up as the Week 1 starter and Nagy is forced to open up the playbook to include RPO’s, bootlegs, and other play calls that would require health and athleticism along the offensive front.

While Peters may not be a major splash signing that Bears fans are hoping for, he’s a former Pro Bowler & All-Pro at the position and could at the very least provide depth and understanding in a system he knows, having played under offensive line coach Juan Castillo, offensive coaches Bill Lazor and John DeFilippo.