The Chicago Bears drafted offensive tackle Larry Borom with a fifth-round pick (No. 151) in the 2021 NFL Draft. The former Missouri standout has been a mainstay on the roster ever since, playing a rotational role over the last few seasons. Borom played 408 snaps at left tackle last season when Braxton Jones suffered an injury.
Pro Football Focus credited Borom with allowing 25 pressures and three sacks. The ex-SEC blocker struggled, earning a pass-protection grade of 45.2, and a run-blocking score of 50.4. Bears general manager Ryan Poles made a pair of moves this offseason that may push Borom out of his backup role.
Veteran tackle Matt Pryor was signed to a one-year contract in March. Jake Curhan, who has ties to new offensive coordinator Shane Waldron, was also signed in free agency. In April, Poles drafted former Yale offensive tackle Kiran Amegadjie with a third-round selection (No. 75 overall). Both players now pose threats to Borom's roster spot.
The Athletic’s Kevin Fishbain recently noted that Borom's roster spot isn't safe. “I don’t know necessarily who is the ‘best’ of those [backup] tackles, but Borom costs the most, which could hinder his chances to be a Bear if the others play well in July and August,” Fishbain wrote. “In the final year of his rookie contract, Borom earned the ‘proven performance escalator’ for his playing time, which means he’ll make more than $3 million this season."
Borom has been versatile for the Bears. In addition to playing left tackle last season, the Detroit, Michigan native has also logged significant snaps at right tackle (1,012), left guard (42), and right guard (20). Poles and Matt Eberflus must decide how much they value Borom's versatility considering Pryor, Amegadjie, and Curhan are slated to earn less money.