Chicago Bears: Tarik Cohen will have big 2019 with new-look backfield
With the overhaul of the Chicago Bears backfield, Tarik Cohen should have an even bigger year in 2019 than last season.
Throughout the franchise’s history, the Chicago Bears always had a strong backfield to depend on. In fact, they’ve had some of the most iconic running backs in the history of the NFL. Players like Bronco Nagurski, Gayle Sayers and Walter Payton all made their impacts in the league.
Even without an iconic back, the Bears still boasted a strong running game. Last season, however, the running game was a mixed bag of results. They ranked seventh in rushing touchdowns but ranked just 27th in yards per rush. There were even more scores left on the table if they’d get more yards. Additionally, the running backs weren’t really an asset in the passing game.
Of course, that didn’t go for Tarik Cohen. He had 1,169 total yards from scrimmage (444 rushing and 725 receiving) and eight total touchdowns (three rushing, five receiving). He was even better as a returner, having made the Pro Bowl and earning an All-Pro nod.
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The Bears decided to overhaul the backfield this year. They traded away Jordan Howard to the Philadelphia Eagles, acquired Mike Davis through free agency, and drafted David Montgomery and Kerrith Whyte Jr (who I feel will be a surprise contributor in his rookie season). They also picked up wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson through free agency, but he’ll see some time in the backfield as well.
With all these changes to the backfield, the winner (other than Mitch Trubisky who will now have a plethora of choices) will be Cohen. The Bears used him as a between the tackle runners more than we’d expect and averaged 4.5 yards per rush.
This season, with better players in the backfield and a more dangerous receiving corps, Cohen will have more open space. There won’t be as many defenses that will stack the box. He is amazing in traffic, earning the nickname “Human Joystick”, so he’ll be even more dangerous in an open space.
Cohen spoke recently about having more playmaking players on offense and how that helps, per the Chicago Tribune:
"It’s great. We have guys everywhere who can score and who are a threat to take the ball 80 (yards) every single play. That’s going to (be good) for everybody individually. There won’t be people getting double-covered. There will be single matchups across the board. And that’s what you really want as an offense."
It’ll be fun to watch Cohen on those one-on-one matchups. He is similar to Alvin Kamara of the New Orleans Saints and if the offense hums the way many expect, Cohen will show that.
How good can Cohen be in this offense? Well, most of the main players in head coach Matt Nagy rave about how much more comfortable they are understanding everything in their second season in it. Everyone was just trying to learn everything last season, and some players dealt with rehabbing injuries while trying to learn the system. This season, though, health isn’t a concern and the players have a stronger grasp of the system.
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With a year’s experience under his belt, Cohen should thrive. He’ll blow right by last year’s total yards from scrimmage. He may challenge the 2,000-yard mark. I don’t know if he’ll get there, but 1,800 yards is something he could definitely reach. He also should hit double digits in touchdowns. If that happens, then Club Dub will continue to stay open throughout the season.