Farewell: Kyle Long, Offensive Guard

The writing was more or less on the wall after Kyle Long went on IR to end his season. If there was any doubt remaining, an Instagram post a month ago from Long from a jiu-jitsu training session with former Bears Olin Kreutz and Jason McKie where Long appeared to have lost quite a bit of weight should have removed it. On the 6th, his dad Howie’s birthday, Kyle Long officially retired.

After being selected with the 20th pick in 2013, Long was the bright spot on more than a couple lousy Bears teams. After making the Pro Bowl in his first three seasons in the league, the first two at guard, and then the third in his lone season at tackle, the injuries began to pile up. Long wouldn’t play a full season any of the next four years before calling it a career after the 2019 campaign.

Nobody can doubt Long’s toughness or dedication. He played through as many injuries as his body would allow him to before it finally said “no mas.” He left it all on the field and will go down as one of the most beloved Chicago Bears. Thank you for everything, Kyle, and best of luck to you in your future endeavors as a Twitch streamer, or broadcaster, or coach, or any one of the other things you’d be awesome at.

Twitter: @KSchroeder_312