Chicago Bears: 6 Free agent targets to pursue in 2020 offseason
Jonathan Williams, Running Back
The Chicago Bears had a pretty good running back situation set up had they just kept some patience. They had David Montgomery, Mike Davis, Kerrith Whyte, and Tarik Cohen. You then sprinkle in a dash of Cordarrelle Patterson and they had themselves the makings of a strong rushing game with every runner also being a strong asset in the passing game.
Alas, the Bears kind of panicked. Yes, the offensive line had trouble run blocking in 2019. However, Nagy the play-caller gave up on the run too early. Davis struggled, but perhaps more carries could have helped him get on track. I think the Bears thought more of the possible fourth-round compensatory draft pick than of having Davis.
The Bears also ended up cutting Whyte without giving him any semblance of a chance to prove himself. That left the Bears with Montgomery as the main back with Cohen playing more of a regular running back than the scatback he really is. Again, Patterson made a run every now and then.
Those moves, in addition to the offensive line’s struggles, resulted in a disappointing running game. Without a strong running game, Trubisky struggled even more.
The Bears need to acquire a bulky back who can be a ramrod. They need a back who can get the tough short yards and play enough snaps to give Montgomery the proper rest throughout the season. That back also helps Cohen play in space as he did in 2018. That way, he can gain more yards per play. His yards per rush went down from 4.5 in 2018 to 3.3 in 2019. His yards per catch went from 10.2 to 5.8.
The Bears can pick up Jonathan Williams. He is compact at 6-0 and bulky, weighing 220 pounds. He can take the pounding needed to get those short yards by dropping his pads and blasting into defenders. Also, he has quick feet to step away from those same defenders.
Williams can be a great third down option. He can run through bodies or he can catch swing passes and operate in space.
Williams would be a great inexpensive pickup who could help the Bears’ struggling running game. If the line improves the combination of Williams and Montgomery gives the offense (and Trubisky) a big boost.