The Chicago Bears now have one of the youngest rosters in the NFL. GM Ryan Pace’s rebuilding plan appears to be coming to fruition. Now it’s a matter of these players starting to elevate their games to start winning. Some though have already started doing that. Names who didn’t waste any time making big plays as rookies. This certainly has caught notice of the rest of the league.
So here’s a question. If given a choice, which name on the roster who is under the age of 25 would qualify for the NFL All-Under-25 team? The simple answer is Jordan Howard. He’s rushed for at least 1,100 yards in back-to-back seasons and made the Pro Bowl as a rookie in 2016. Well, Elliot Harrison of NFL.com had a different choice in mind.
With Howard ousted in controversial fashion by Alvin Kamara of the Saints, Harrison instead went with his backfield teammate Tarik Cohen as the primary return ace.
“Cohen contributed in every which way for the Bears in 2017, bringing an explosive element to Chicago’s run game, pass game and return game. He finished in the top 10 in punt-return and kick-return average.”
Having a Bears player as the best return man on a compilation roster feels like old news after so many great years of Devin Hester. Still, it’s a reminder of how talented this teams’ backfield is. Not only is Cohen a huge threat in the return game, his versatility as a runner and receiver could make him lethal on offense under the direction of Matt Nagy.
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People have compared him extensively to former Pro Bowler Darren Sproles. They forget that before becoming a lethal utility weapon, he made his mark in the return game. It seems rather fitting that Cohen is doing the same. It still doesn’t excuse the slight of Howard though.
