Offensive lineman Larry Borom, a fifth-round choice of the Bears in 2021, has appeared in 39 games for Chicago over his first three seasons in the league, starting 23 of them. It is fair to wonder, however, whether he will remain in the Windy City for his platform campaign in 2024.
As Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune writes, the playing time that Borom accrued allowed him to hit the escalator in his rookie contract that boosted his 2024 salary to $3.12MM. Biggs suggests that payout may be too rich for the Bears’ blood, and that the team could look to trade the 25-year-old blocker. If GM Ryan Poles adds an O-lineman or two in the upcoming draft, that could further squeeze Borom out of the picture.
Borom has taken most of his NFL snaps at the tackle positions, and as such, he is in line to compete with new acquisitions Jake Curhan and Matt Pryor for the swing tackle role behind starters Braxton Jones and Darnell Wright. However, Borom has never played especially well at the professional level, and the 2023 season may have been the worst of his young career.
Last season, the Missouri product played 408 snaps on the blindside, 225 of which were pass-blocking opportunities. He conceded 25 total pressures and allowed six hits, including three sacks. He was also charged with five penalties, and in all, Pro Football Focus assigned him an abysmal grade of 48.0. That made Borom the eighth-worst OT out of 81 qualifed players.
Nonetheless, he does have the versatility to line up at guard as well as tackle, and if he performs well in training camp this summer, his salary is not so high that the Bears could not keep him around as experienced depth at multiple positions. That is especially true since Jones, the starting LT, landed on injured reserve last season, and since starting LG Teven Jenkins has struggled with injuries throughout his career.
Borom was selected by the Bears’ prior regime, while Curhan has ties to current OC Shane Waldron and Pryor was with the Colts when head coach Matt Eberflus was serving as Indianapolis’ defensive coordinator. Given that, and given Borom’s generally lackluster play, a trade is not out of the question.
Biggs suggests a late-round pick or a pick swap would be the most likely return if Chicago looks to move Borom.