While the Chicago Bears addressed other offensive positions through the 2020 NFL Draft, one area that has a glaring weakness is the running back position. If you recall, the Bears were hellbent on trading Jordan Howard in the 2018 offseason.
With Tarik Cohen’s roster spot safe, Mike Davis was added in free agency, and David Montgomery was tabbed as Howard’s replacement in the 2019 NFL Draft. Davis logged just 11 carries for 25 yards with the Bears before being released in November.
Cohen’s production dropped off in 2019, and Montgomery’s was limited to poor offensive line play. Heading into the offseason, I assumed the Bears would add another back to the mix either in free agency or the draft. Neither has yet to happen.
And, as noted, the Bears upgraded the tight end position, taking Cole Kmet in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft. The wide receiving corps also looks strong on paper with the additions of Darnell Mooney and Ted Ginn Jr.
However, should Montgomery go down with an injury this year, the Bears are in a world of trouble as Cohen displayed time and time again last year that he is too small to run between the tackles.
The white elephant in the room is the salary cap. Spotrac estimates the Bears have $10 million in available cap, which is more than enough to sign their draft class and add another back.
Let’s take a look at three potential fits for the Bears.
Devonta Freeman
Freeman is no longer the workhorse back he was with the Falcons. He missed most of the 2018 season due to injury but rebounded to the tune of 656 yards on 184 carries and two touchdowns. The one aspect that Matt Nagy will love with Freeman is how versatile he is in the passing game.
Last season, Freeman hauled in 59 balls out of the backfield for 410 yards. His nearly seven yards per reception would be invaluable for a Bears offense that struggled to move the ball last year consistently.
Lamar Miller
Miller could be the bargain of the offseason. He tore his ACL way back in the third preseason game last year and has been rehabbing since. Before his injury, Miller was the lead back for the Houston Texans, recording nearly 3,000 yards in three seasons with the team.
While not as big of threat at Freeman, Miller can catch some balls out of the backfield as well. He hauled in 92 receptions for 678 yards and five touchdowns during his time in Houston.
Carlos Hyde
Hyde stepped up in place of Miller last year and experienced a career resurgence. He rushed for nearly 1,100 yards and crossed the goal line six times. Hyde is a big, physical back that would complement Montgomery well, although he lacks quite a bit in the pass-catching department.
Still, he has relatively low miles for being 29 years of age. A key statistic for Hyde is that he scored five of his six touchdowns last year in the red zone.
What do you think Bears fans? Which RB should they sign?
