How The Bears’ Growing Interest In Keylan Rutledge Suddenly Makes Sense
The Chicago Bears have been active on the offensive line circuit ahead of the draft. This isn’t a major surprise. In the space of just three months, they were hit with two devastating pieces of news. Promising left tackle Ozzy Trapilo suffered a brutal knee injury that could knock him out for all of 2026. Then, center Drew Dalman retired. Just like that, the two most important positions on the line were vacated. Bears brass suddenly feel pressured to find solutions. Several names have met with them in recent weeks. Perhaps the most out of place was Keylan Rutledge.
Though a standout player for Georgia Tech, he has spent his college career at guard. Chicago doesn’t need guard help with Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson already in place. Yes, Thuney is approaching the end of his career in his mid-30s, but it doesn’t feel like a good time to spend high draft capital on a guard who will probably have to sit at least one season. However, if what Louis Riddick revealed on ESPN this week is true, there might be a hidden method to the Bears’ madness.
Keylan Rutledge, G/C, Georgia Tech
Height: 6-4 | Weight: 316
Georgia Tech coach Brent Key has said that Rutledge has the potential to be the best offensive lineman he has coached, which is saying something. Rutledge is a block of granite, playing with leverage and leg drive. He has the athleticism to play in zone or man run-game blocking schemes, and you can sense his competitiveness and desire to put defenders on their backs.
Rutledge will need to refine his pass pro technique, but he has a strong punch and excellent anchor. Some believe he could be an All-Pro center at the NFL level. I don’t care what position he ends up playing; I’d want him on my team.
The Bears have already tested Keylan Rutledge on this.
Tony Pauline reported last month that the Bears’ offensive line coaches were at Georgia Tech’s pro day, where they worked privately with Rutledge. One drill they focused on? Snapping as a center. Clearly, they see the same things Riddick and others see. Rutledge has the temperament, toughness, anchor, and intelligence to become an excellent center. All he needs is somebody to guide the way. Having Dan Roushar and Ben Johnson as the two primary coaches for that is an easy sell.
There is one problem. Many believe there is a growing possibility that Rutledge sneaks into the 1st round. That means if the Bears don’t take him at #25, there is almost no chance he falls to them at #57 in the 2nd. This could mean one of two things. Either the Bears are actually considering taking Rutledge at #25, or they view him as a premium option where they would trade down from their current spot. The latter feels more plausible, but predicting a draft like this is impossible.
Would the Bears actually take a center in the 1st round?
Most will think that is crazy. No center in this draft is considered 1st round-worthy. However, let’s remember something. Based on opinion about this draft, there are probably 10-12 actual 1st round talents in this draft, which is lower than normal. That means the entire bottom half of the 1st round will be 2nd round players in all but designation. That means teams will be drafting less for talent level and more for personal preference. If the Bears really like Keylan Rutledge, then they have no reason not to take him.
Coach Johnson said his primary goal is to take good football players. Positional value means nothing to him. Remember, this is somebody who came from Detroit, where they took a running back and a linebacker in the same 1st round one year. Both became excellent players. If Johnson is convinced of the same facts as Riddick and others that Rutledge has Pro Bowls in his future as a center, then absolutely take him. At the very least, the Bears probably end up with the eventual heir apparent to Thuney at left guard.