Former Pro Bowl offensive lineman Kyle Long is returning to the NFL after a one-year hiatus.
Macon Gunter of Green Light Pod was the first to break the news, which was confirmed by Kyle's brother, Chris. Long had said he missed football during a recent radio appearance and will look to fill that void upon his return to the NFL.
Can confirm. Please credit Green Light Pod insider Macon Gunter. https://t.co/GqfrT3TEu1
— chris long (@JOEL9ONE) March 9, 2021
Former Bear and three-time Pro Bowl offensive lineman Kyle Long is returning to the NFL after a year away from the game, according to @macongunter and @JOEL9ONE. He will be a free agent.
Long said last week to @ParkinsSpiegel: "I miss (football) every day."
— Chris Emma (@CEmma670) March 9, 2021
Long was a first-round pick with the Chicago Bears in 2013. He made the Pro Bowl in each of his first three seasons but soon succumbed to the injury bug.
The son of NFL Hall of Famer Howie Long played just 30 combined games between 2016 and 2019. Long suited up just four times in 2019 before being placed on injured reserve with a hip injury. He announced shortly after the season he was stepping away to tend to his physical issues.
Article Continues BelowBut Long never actually formalized his retirement, continuously dropping hints he could return to the NFL. The 32-year-old said last month he was enjoying his stint in media, but still had the itch to play football.
It appears he feels good enough physically to launch a comeback, though it seems unlikely he will be back in a Bears uniform.
Kyle Long ripped head coach Matt Nagy and staff in a series of tweets last summer and has also criticized Bears general manager Ryan Pace on occasion. He might not be comfortable playing for Nagy at this stage.
There is an interesting crop of offensive linemen on the market heading into free agency. Long brings an intriguing addition to the mix.