Chicago Bears’ former offensive lineman Kyle Long offers to help out with his former team.
Kyle Long sat down with Jon Greenberg of The Athletic and expressed optimism about his former team.
“I just love this team,” he said.
Kyle Long, Chicago Bears
The former Chicago Bears first-round draft pick offered to help in any way he could.
When he talks about the Bears, Long, who played for them for seven seasons, says, “We,” and he wants to be more than a talking head discussing their wins and losses.
“It’s why I say ‘we,’” he told me Friday morning at the DraftKings sports bar outside Wrigley Field. My relationship with the Bears is this: I’m a massive Bears fan. If you’re a young player or an offensive lineman, reach out to me. I’d be willing to help, and I’m able to help. I know you guys have great coaches and staff there, but I’d like to be a part of it.”
Kyle Long’s History with the Chicago Bears
Kyle Long’s services would be welcomed by the Chicago Bears. Although he has no coaching experience, his time with the Bears was phenomenal while on the field.
Long was drafted 20th overall in the first round out of Oregon in the 2013 NFL Draft. His path to that point was winding. The Chicago White Sox drafted him in the MLB draft to pitch but decided to pursue football. He then committed to Florida State but quickly left for academic/legal reasons.
Long played two seasons at Saddleback Community College, where he was switched from the defensive line to the offensive line. After the switch, he quickly received an offer to be an Oregon Duck.
Kyle Long was drafted 20th overall by the Chicago Bears in 2013.
Long went on to play seven seasons for the Bears. In his first three seasons, he was voted into the Pro Bowl, but he started battling injuries. The injuries started to take a toll on Long, and he decided to retire in 2019. Long tried one more season with the Kansas City Chiefs, but after an injury in training camp, he never played a snap for them.
Kyle Long in Media
Kyle Long quickly switched from player to media. Long is an analyst on CBS’s “That Other Pregame Show,” appears semi-regularly on Barstool’s “Pro Football Football Show” and co-hosts his brother Chris Long’s “Green Light” podcast regularly.
Kyle spoke about his ability to work with his brother on their Greenlight Podcast. “I was a pretty good player in the league. I’m happy to have a platform and a brother who allows me to come on his podcast, and we have a lot of fun. And if you know us, you appreciate it. It’s real, it’s raw and we argue and we disagree.”
Chicago Bears
Kyle Long has made a name for himself in the media after retirement.
His insight from a former offensive lineman perspective is welcomed in a world of skill players giving their takes on other skill players. He has the gift of making the technical side of football more relatable, and he can easily explain the technical side of NFL play on audio platforms.Ezoic
Kyle did have a short stint coaching high school football after he retired. I am sure many teams would love to have him in the offensive line coaching room, but it seems as if his heart remains in Chicago.
Greenlight Podcast interview with Stephen A. Smith at South by Southwest: