The expectation has been that Kyle Long will be the Bears’ right tackle for the foreseeable future. But until the Bears come out for their opening series Sunday against the Green Bay Packers, the exact whereabouts of Kyle Long won’t be officially known.
Coaches aren’t saying: “Why are you asking that?” offensive coordinator Adam Gase shot at a general question about the difficulty of switching from guard to tackle against a Dom Capers defense. “Whoever it will be will be out there Sunday.”
Players aren’t letting on; Long wasn’t around in the locker room and hasn’t divulged his destination when he’s been asked anyway.
But quarterback Jay Cutler let the cat out of the pocket indirectly on Thursday when questioned about Long:
“He’s an athletic freak,” Cutler said. “So I think there are going to be some growing pains just like anybody else. But he’ll be fine.”
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Cutler isn’t talking “growing pains” about a two-time Pro Bowler if that Pro Bowl guard were staying at guard.
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As for concerns, “Yeah, there are always going to be concerns,” Cutler said. “There are concerns across the board. Myself included. It’s a new offense, new verbiage. So we’re going to have growing pains as we go.
“But I know Kyle’s going to do everything possible in his role to be successful.”
Translation: “Role” probably isn’t referring to that of a right guard for Long.