After having had time to take in what Chicago has done over the past few months, it’s time for an apology. GM Ryan Pace actually did a great job building the Bears running back depth chart. No seriously, think about it for a second. As anybody knows the basis of any position group is simple. Having one superstar at the top and then hopefully a series of able bodies who can help carry the load if he’s hurt.
Before anybody stopped to think about it, that’s exactly what Pace did. He found his star in Jordan Howard, fresh off his Pro Bowl rookie season. He’d already drafted Jeremy Langford the year before and retained Ka’Deem Carey. Then he increased the depth even further with the addition of rookie Tarik Cohen during this past draft.
Bears running back depth chart is diverse and deep
Suddenly the Bears have four running backs, each under the age of 26, who were highly productive in college. They also have varying skill sets, adding even more versatility to the stable. This is before including underrated free agent Bennie Cunningham and his special teams value.
People believe that Langford and Carey were destined to be cut the moment Cohen arrived. That’s not necessarily the case. The point of any position on a roster is to make it as deep as possible. Those two have flashed enough in the past to warrant keeping around. Sure, they’re not superstars as hoped but that no longer matters. Howard has that taken care of. They can just be the extra bodies to keep him fresh.
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Media love is growing
In fact the Bears backfield is garnering more praise by the day. Cameron DaSilva of Fox Sports ranked it the fourth-best in the entire NFL.
“Jordan Howard is entering just his second season in the NFL, but he’s already one of the most underrated running backs around. He finished second in rushing last season to only Ezekiel Elliott, racking up 1,313 yards and six touchdowns on only 252 carries. He averaged a healthy 5.2 yards per carry behind a not-so-great Bears offensive line, which was the most impressive part of his season.
Howard is going to carry the Bears’ offense again with the passing game likely to struggle, and a sophomore slump shouldn’t be expected. He said he’s lighter and faster this offseason, and he’s eager to prove he wasn’t a one-year wonder. Jeremy Langford and rookie Tarik Cohen – the Human Joystick – are good complements to Howard, as well, providing the Bears depth at running back.”
Most experts are making it out to seem like the Bears are a one-back team. It’s basically Jordan Howard and nobody else. They refuse to acknowledge that Langford, Carey and now Cohen bring something to the table as well. Don’t forget Langord had over 800 total yards as a rookie. He just never got going last year because he got hurt early in the season, allowing Howard to ascend. That happens. It doesn’t automatically make him a bad player.
Don’t be surprised if the backup dancers get their own solos at some point this season and knock it out of the park.
