Do Chicago Bears still need more at running back for 2020?
While changes were made at a number of positions, the Chicago Bears didn’t address the running back position. Does that mean they feel confident in what they have in the unit?
As the new season approached, many people had ideas about what the Chicago Bears needed to do. We heard all about how they had to shore up the offensive line. We also heard about how the tight ends unit needed to be overhauled. Additionally, we heard that they needed to add wide receivers.
Let’s not forget the defense. Leonard Floyd had to go and, when Prince Amukamara got cut they needed another cornerback. Also, Eddie Jackson had to go back to free safety so Ha Ha Clinton-Dix got axed. That meant a new strong safety had to be found.
The Bears did address all those positions, even if the moves they made didn’t make people happy. We won’t know how good or bad those moves are until they hit the field.
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One position that didn’t receive a lot of attention was the running back position. Unlike last year, the Bears didn’t sign a free agent or draft a running back. That means David Montgomery is the main back, with Tarik Cohen the backup.
Cohen is not a credible backup running back. At 5-6 and 191 pounds, he cannot take the pounding a regular back takes. I know it’s just a backup, but with Cohen as the backup Montgomery will play a huge amount of snaps.
Furthermore, Cohen is too important as the “Joker” back — he can run some but he’s more valuable catching passes from the backfield.
The Chicago Bears did pick up a few running backs as undrafted free agent rookies but the only one who has a chance of making the team is Artavis Pierce of Oregon State. He is a good fit in Matt Nagy’s offensive system. He has some speed and can be an asset in the passing game. However, he isn’t a power runner and will have difficulty running between the tackles.
Patrick Finley, the Bears beat writer for the Chicago Sun-Times, recently wrote an article on the team’s running back situation. He also feels that Cohen isn’t the right backup for Montgomery. He has another player in mind to take that position, wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson, saying the following about the veteran:
"The No. 2 running back on the Bears depth chart is really a receiver. And the man I’d pick to start if Montgomery ever got hurt is a receiver who might really be a running back. I don’t think Tarik Cohen could — or should — be the every-down back in case of a Montgomery injury. Receiver Cordarrelle Patterson, though, is a player who could run between the tackles 10-12 times per game if Montgomery got hurt."
I agree that Patterson could be a better option as a backup. He is a Swiss Army Knife option for the offense. The team can use him as a running back, a slot receiver, an outside receiver, and he is one of the best returners in the league. Additionally, last season he asked the coaches to play some snaps at tight end to help that situation.
If Montgomery does go down, the Bears will need to pick someone else up to take his workload. Neither Cohen nor Patterson could take over since they are valuable at other spots. Patterson could be more effective as a backup than Cohen. He can outrun defenders to the outside and he is big and strong enough to run between the tackles.
Even if Pierce makes the team, he won’t see a lot of snaps. The Bears need to look at the available players. LeSean McCoy is familiar with Nagy. The two were together for four seasons between 2009-2012. He also played in Philadelphia and had one of his best seasons in 2013 when Nick Foles was the quarterback. He’d be a great backup for Montgomery. Since he knows the system, he could help Montgomery.
Another option is Isaiah Crowell. Yes, he tore his ACL but, if he is healthy, he’d be a good pickup. General manager Ryan Pace likes to sign players to “prove it” deals and Crowell could be another of that type of signing. Before his injury, he averaged 4.3 yards per rush, a very good number.
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He is a hard runner and can pick up those important short yards that extend drives. He wouldn’t need to play a high number of snaps, just enough to help Montgomery to stay fresh throughout a game and the season. There will also be some cuts when teams need to get down to the 53-limit after the final preseason game and before the season begins.
Don’t expect to see the running back position to stay the way it is now. Montgomery needs help and Cohen showed last season that he isn’t the back to provide that help. If the Chicago Bears offense is to improve, the running backs unit needs to do its job.