NFL rumors: Bears’ answer to protecting Justin Fields is obvious

San Francisco 49ers offensive tackle Mike McGlinchey would be a godsend for Justin Fields and the Chicago Bears in NFL free agency.

One of the very best things the Chicago Bears can do in NFL free agency to build a better team around Justin Fields this offseason is to sign former Golden Domer Mike McGlinchey away from the San Francisco 49ers.

Though the chances of him playing with his much older cousin Matt Ryan have probably bit the dust, not even Kyle Shanahan can keep this sort of homecoming from happening in Chicagoland. Notre Dame is not in Chicago, but the city remains a huge base for its fans. McGlinchey has been good, but not great in San Francisco, but would be a huge upgrade for the Bears in the trenches.

His ability to run block and pass protect at comparable levels will help bring Fields along in 2023.

Mike McGlinchey is exactly who the Chicago Bears need to add for Justin Fields

Although the Bears’ offensive line has been rather hit or miss over the better part of the last three decades, McGlinchey has a very high floor as a professional. He may not be the anchor a great offensive line, but he is more than capable of being a top-two or three member of a five-man unit contending for championships. This is why adding him will play a huge part in Fields’ development.

Being able to keep Fields upright for longer will keep him healthier as the season progresses on. Even in year one with Luke Getsy as the offensive coordinator, we could all see Fields get better as the season wagered on, even if the wins were few and hard to come by. By signing a player of McGlinchey’s stature, he can play a part in the Bears being several wins better than they had been.

Not to say the Bears are going to pop in year two under head coach Matt Eberflus, but they do seem to be going in the right direction. Everyone in Halas Hall seems to be pulling in the same direction for once. Losing McGlinchey will hurt the 49ers considerably, but San Francisco was a major pullback candidate to begin with anyway. His departure could knock them down a peg.

If Notre Dame can have one great offensive line after another, then why can’t the nearby Bears?