The running back group for the Chicago Bears has been under some criticism due to the lack of depth behind David Montgomery and with Tarik Cohen being more of a receiving back.
Some were hoping that the Bears would sign a veteran in free agency or hoping for an undrafted free agent to make some noise in training camp, but head coach Matt Nagy is getting creative.
Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reported Friday on “Inside Training Camp Live” that the Bears are planning for Cordarrelle Patterson to be used more as a running back this season.
From Inside Training Camp Live on the day our new @vineyardvines @nflnetwork camp polos arrived: In addition to Eddie Jackson at WR, Cordarrelle Patterson in RB meetings has it sounding like Matt Nagy's #Bears offense could be extremely versatile this year. pic.twitter.com/yaDp1AVqqT
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) August 14, 2020
“Patterson has been in meetings with the running backs — not with the wide receivers,” said Garafolo. “When they signed him to a two-year, $10 million deal before last season, they really had visions of using him creatively.”
Last season, the 29-year old carried the ball 17 times for 103 yards. In Patterson’s seven-year career, he has 103 carries for 785 yards with seven touchdowns.
The Bears wide receiving room is crowded as it consists of Allen Robinson, Anthony Miller, Ted Ginn Jr., Javon Wims, Darnell Mooney, and Riley Ridley. While the running backs consist of Montgomery, Patterson, Cohen, Ryan Nall, and undrafted free agent Artavis Pierce.
Patterson could still get some targets either split out wide or in the backfield. But with how the receiving group is shaping up to be, Patterson probably wasn’t going to haul in as many receptions compared to what he could get in rushing attempts.
