In his latest notes column for the Chicago Tribune, David Haugh points to left tackle — not quarterback, cornerback, or pass-rusher, as some might suggest — as the Bears‘ biggest need come draft time. Kyle Long is still an option to move to the blind side at some point, but Haugh suggests the club could target players like Laremy Tunsil of Ole Miss or Ronnie Staley of Notre Dame next spring. Such a move would likely follow the release of veteran Jermon Bushrod, who has played in only three games this season (he first dealt with concussion issues but was then benched).
Let’s take a look at some more notes from the NFC:
- Continuing the Bears theme, John Mullin of CSNChicago.com notes that offensive coordinator Adam Gase should be a hot name on the head coaching circuit next year. The 37-year-old Gase interviewed for nearly every head coaching vacancy following last season, bu ultimately reunited with John Fox in Chicago, where he has helped quarterback Jay Cutler turn around his career. In the piece above, Haugh suggests that Gase will also be a popular candidate for many NCAA openings.
- It’s unlikely that quarterback Colin Kaepernick will return to the 49ers next season, opines Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com, noting that the club will likely release Kaerpenick before his 2016 $11.9MM base salary becomes guaranteed on April 1. Elsewhere in San Francisco, Maiocco writes that GM Trent Baalke clearly believes he will remain the club’s decision-maker going forwar, as he wouldn’t have traded Vernon Davis for future draft pick compensation if he believed this season was his last with the team.
- Terrance Knighton will miss Sunday’s game with severe headaches, John Keim of ESPN.com reports. The Washington defensive tackle has reportedly visited around 30 doctors for this condition, which is said to be worse than migraines, albeit in shorter duration.
Sam Robinson contributed to this post.