Tarik Cohen might only be 23 years old, but the Bears’ third-year running back is now one of the older guys in the running backs room.
Cohen, coming off his first All-Pro selection as a returner, remains one of the Bears’ most electrifying weapons, whether it’s on offense or special teams.
Following a complete overhaul of the Bears’ running backs room, Cohen doesn’t anticipate that his role is going to change from a football standpoint — with him playing a complementary role on the ground and through the air.
But there is one new role he’s found himself in, which is serving as a mentor for a new group of running backs coming to the Bears. The young ones — David Montgomery and Kerrith Whyte — and the veteran — Mike Davis.
“I feel like my role is going to pretty much stay the same — I might have a little more on my plate,” Cohen told reporters last week. “The only role I feel like has changed is the fact that I’m one of the older guys in my room now. I have to bring up the young guys, stay with them and talk to them and help them learn.”
The Bears have created themselves a three-headed monster at running back in Davis, Montgomery and Cohen — DMC as they’ve been nicknamed. Then there are the young wildcards in Whyte and Ryan Nall that have complemented a talented running back group.
“We’ve got guys that are like power backs, but they can be shifty with their feet,” Cohen said. “Great vision.”
Jordan Howard lacked versatility as a running back, which was a primary reason for the Bears trading him to Philadelphia this offseason. But this group of Bears backs has that versatility that will make them an exciting group to watch this season.
