With the 2013 NFL Draft approaching, Around The League will examine one big question facing all 32 teams. Next up: The Chicago Bears.
Can Bears finally give Jay Cutler a proper offensive line?
The Chicago Bears need to figure out their Jay Cutler situation.
They've patiently waited over four seasons for Cutler to become a true franchise quarterback. It hasn't happened. In Cutler's defense, the Bears' offensive line seems to be in a near-constant state of flux. How can you be sure if Cutler's your answer if you can't find a way to protect him?
The Bears used free agency to upgrade at left tackle, signing former Drew Brees blindside protector Jermon Bushrod. The team signed Matt Slauson last month, but could the team be looking for a longterm solution at guard?
Picking 20th overall, the Bears have to be hoping that either Alabama's Chance Warmack or North Carolina's Jonathan Cooper is available. Both are impact players who would fill a pressing need. Warmack might be gone in the top 10, so this might be wishful thinking.
If both Warmack and Cooper are gone, the Bears could re-group and target Kentucky's Larry Warford -- NFL.com draft analyst Mike Mayock's No. 3 guard in his positional rankings -- in the second round.
That strategy would free up the Bears to go in another direction with their first pick, of course. Notre Dame's Manti Te'o makes a ton of sense as Brian Urlacher's successor at middle linebacker, but that's another discussion entirely.
Follow Dan Hanzus on Twitter @DanHanzus.
