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Most intriguing position battles to watch

Takeaways from Chicago Bears’ final week of OTAs

The Chicago Bears are set to report to training camp on July 26, and there will be no shortage of position battles to watch as camp and the preseason unfolds. There are not only starting jobs on the line but roster spots, as well.

With a new regime in place, there’s been some notable roster turnover this offseason, which includes a lot of players on one-year, prove-it deals. But there’s also plenty of young talent on the roster looking to establish themselves as long-term starters.

Here’s a look at the most intriguing position battles heading into Bears training camp later this month, from offensive line to defensive end to wide receiver.

1
Offensive tackle

AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh

There are plenty of questions along the offensive line, but the biggest is at the tackle positions. The Bears have been experimenting with different combinations, which has featured several shakeups at tackle, and that’s expected to continue into training camp.

While Larry Borom and Teven Jenkins started the offseason program at left tackle and right tackle, respectively, that changed in the final week of organized team activities and mandatory minicamp. It was fifth-round rookie Braxton Jones at left tackle and Borom at right tackle, which presented another possible combination heading into training camp.

Jenkins was working with the second-team offense at right tackle, and Matt Eberflus said he and his staff were going to evaluate the offensive line position to see if they wind up going back to Jenkins. But the real evaluation doesn’t start until the pads come on, where Jones and Jenkins will be competing for their respective tackle jobs.

2
Right guard

AP Photo/Duane Burleson

Another concern along the offensive line is the hole at right guard, which was vacated by James Daniels in free agency. General manager Ryan Poles attempted to solidify the position with the addition of Ryan Bates, but Buffalo wound up matching his offer sheet to retain him.

Unfortunately, that left the Bears without a clear cut answer at the position. Sam Mustipher and free-agent addition Dakota Dozier were splitting time at right guard during the offseason. But Dozier landed on injured reserve with an apparent leg injury during mandatory minicamp, which left Chicago even thinner at guard.

Eberflus said “all combinations are open” along the offensive line, which was his answer to a…

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