Questions Surrounding the Chicago Bears' Offensive Line

The Chicago Bears' front office has already told the media that this offseason will be more about "tweaking" than "rebuilding." But sometimes, circumstances intervene and even the best laid offseason plans of NFL teams go for naught.

With John Tait's surprise retirement, the Bears find themselves in an awkward position. While veteran John St. Clair was serviceable at best playing left tackle for injured rookie left tackle Chris Williams during the 2008 season, he left much to be desired in a few key games and he is already on the wrong side of 30.

St. Clair is now a free agent, and many believe that signing him to a long-term deal now is the best available option for dealing with Tait's unexpected retirement. But questions are circulating through the Chicago media about the likelihood of the Bears drafting a rookie offensive tackle who could be Chris Williams' counterpart and fellow "bookend" for years to come.

It's hard to gauge which option is more likely with this franchise. They have developed a track record for being conservative in free agency and seem to insist upon building their team almost exclusively through the draft.

With Tait, you get a decent veteran who knows the offense and could probably easily make the transition from left to right tackle. But by drafting a solid rookie, you potentially solidify your entire line for several more seasons.

But perhaps the Bears can have their cake and eat it too.

If the Bears decide to place the franchise tag on St. Clair for the 2009 season, they will have him for one overpaid season, but they can draft his replacement in one of the middle rounds of the coming draft.

Prototype right tackle prospects like Fenuki Tupuo project to go later in the draft. This is most likely because right tackles traditionally lack the agility and athleticism to protect the blind side of most quarterbacks from the league's most skilled pass rushers.

This also makes financial sense since drafting another tackle in the first round this year would mean they'd have two players earning left tackle money and only one actually playing left tackle.

And lest we forget, there are also problems on the interior line that should be addressed in the draft, especially given the fact that Olin Kreutz's contract is up after the 2009 season. With Kreutz's age and declining productivity, the Bears are unlikely to re-sign him for 2010.

Now combine that harsh reality with the fact that this draft year boasts some of the strongest center prospects in recent memory, and Jerry Angelo would have to be a fool not to snag a guy like Alex Mack, Eric Wood or Max Unger somewhere in the draft. A rookie center could then learn under Kreutz for a year and step into his shoes the following season.

If the Bears were to do this, they'd potentially be looking at some very good years ahead powered by a running game featuring a young offensive line and a hopefully-healthy Matt Forte. 

The Bears don't have to take an offensive tackle in the first round of this year's draft, but keeping John St. Clair doesn't completely let them off the hook, either. Help is still needed, and while some of the positions in the draft may be shaky, one thing seems clear: this is a good year to get some big boys up front on offense.