Aside from the signings of QB Andy Dalton and CB Desmond Trufant, who was added to replace the loss of defensive standout Kyle Fuller, the Chicago Bears haven’t had what can be called an exciting offseason.
So it should come as no surprise that Bears fans experienced a swell of enthusiasm over the addition of veteran running back Damien Williams, who Chicago signed to a one-year deal on Wednesday.
Williams opted out of the 2020 season due to COVID-19 concerns and is best remembered for his 17 carries, 104 yards and two touchdowns (one receiving) in the Chiefs’ Super Bowl LIV victory. It’s that kind of last-in-time, first-in-memory impression that has Bears fans feeling charged up over what he’ll bring to the offense in 2021.
And while it’s true Williams has familiarity with the Bears’ offense and should have little trouble acclimating himself under coach Matt Nagy, the reality is he’s never been more than an off-the-bench player who was able to excel in the most running-back friendly situation in the league between 2018-2019.
William’s career-year came in 2019 when he totaled 498 yards and five scores.
Again: 498 yards.
Williams, much like the Mike Davis addition last offseason, is far from a sure-thing for the final roster in 2021, especially if the Bears add another running back in the middle rounds of April’s draft, something Pace has a track record of doing.
There’s no doubt that David Montgomery will be the bell cow of the offense next season, and the return of Tarik Cohen gives Chicago another offensive chess piece to use out of the backfield. A player like Williams, who has running and receiving chops, is a quality reserve who can pick up the slack if either Montomgery or Cohen needs a breather.
But to expect anything more than that is the result of hunting for excitement in an otherwise boring offseason.
