D.J. Williams and Jon Bostic fight for Bears MLB spot
Jon Bostic has played at every linebacker position at Chicago Bears OTAs, and while some suspected that he might land at the strong side spot, he is currently fighting D.J. Williams for the starting middle linebacker position. The two players have been splitting time taking reps at the No. 1 spot.
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John Mullin of CSN Chicago writes:
"Positions are not really won or lost until training camp and even then not without some strong showings in preseason games. But Bostic has significantly raised the stakes despite training camp not starting until late July, and he’s doing it not necessarily where he was expected to truly compete for a starting job."
The move to middle is due in large part to the outstanding play of Shea McClellin at the outside linebacker, who moved from defensive end. Bostic is said to have the most pure explosive, sudden speed of all the linebackers on the Bears. Conceivably, two linebacker selections from GM Phil Emery could be on the field starting day, which would make for a nice confidence boost in his talent evaluation.
The two, young linebackers both have the ability to drop back in coverage and have the athletic ability to make up for their inexperience as they begin to improve in the passing game. Mullin explained, That Bostic and McClellin could be three-down linebackers by Week 1 or at some point this season and beyond can’t be ruled out.
As the Bears have not had a real competition at middle linebacker since before Brian Urlacher’s tenure, the drama that will likely last through preseason should be enjoyable for Bears fans to follow.