How good can the Bears’ working again room be?
The Bears signed two working backs in free company and each carry some expertise to Chicago’s working again room.
A season in the past, the Chicago Bears received 2,064 yards from scrimmage from their steady of working backs, however their most versatile again is now carrying the Honolulu Blue of the division rival Detroit Lions. With David Montgomery off to Motown, the Bears signed 26-year-old D’onta Foreman coming off a career-best 940 yards from scrimmage.
The large distinction between Montgomery’s and Forman’s play is D-Mo had 34 receptions for 316 yards, whereas D’Onta caught 5 for 26.
Foreman, whereas a very good go blocker, hasn’t been requested to be an integral a part of the passing recreation in any of his earlier three stops, but it surely’s a possibility he relishes in Chicago.
“And in addition, what folks do not give me credit score for as a result of I have not been capable of present it lots with the groups I have been on is how effectively I can catch the ball and what I can do within the backfield so far as being a receiver,” Foreman stated in a current interview with CHGO. “That is one thing that I actually need to showcase. I am wanting ahead to it, man. Being right here, if I get that chance, it’s going to take my recreation to a unique stage.”
The USA Immediately’s Doug Farrar ran some numbers for Foreman final 12 months that paint an attention-grabbing image of his effectiveness.
Evaluating D’Onta Foreman and Nick Chubb, Weeks 7-18.
Foreman: 191 carries for 876 yards, 5 touchdowns, 32 missed tackles pressured, 12 carries of 15 or extra yards.
Chubb: 192 carries for 876 yards, 5 touchdowns, 41 missed tackles pressured, 12 carries of 15 or extra yards.
His 2022 season proved he might run on the identical stage as one of the best backs within the NFL, so if Chicago can unlock his receiving expertise, the Bears might have a steal at simply $3 million for 2023.
Contributing within the passing recreation is one thing the returning Khalil Herbert hasn’t completed a lot of both. In 2022 he had 9 catches for 57 yards, and his struggles as a go blocker may very well be a purpose he wasn’t on the sector as a lot on passing downs. It is also probably why he did not merely slide into the RB1 function with Montgomery’s departure.
Foreman (6′, 235 kilos) and Herbert (5’9″, 212) must be in line for the majority of the carries with the Bears, and that is a very good factor as a result of this tandem was among the many league leaders in dashing yards over anticipated.
Herbert might by no means be a plus go blocker, however even minimal enchancment on this side might enhance his taking part in time, and along with his huge play potential, that is a very good factor.
However there is a third tailback that may very well be on the lookout for taking part in time, and whereas his signing may very well be checked out as a method to bolster the particular groups, he is additionally able to step in and present there’s extra to his recreation. Travis Homer (5’10”, 202) did not get a number of offensive taking part in time with the Seahawks, however head coach Pete Carroll trusted him in a single respect.
Homer is an achieved go blocker and an underrated receiver with 32 receptions and 318 yards within the final two seasons whereas taking part in simply 346 snaps on offense. A lot of his taking part in time got here within the two-minute drill and in apparent passing conditions.
The 24-year-old might carve out a job as Chicago’s third-down again, and in case you did not know, he was in comparison with Austin Ekeler when he was popping out of Miami in 2019. That will seem to be an unrealistic comparability now, however in 2018 Ekeler wasn’t thought of some of the prolific pass-catching backs within the league but.
Chicago additionally has second-year professional Trestan Ebner and fullback Khari Blasingame on the roster, however that will not cease them from including one other working again if there’s one excessive on their board within the draft or if there’s one they like as an undrafted free agent.
What are you anticipating from Chicago’s steady of working backs in 2023?
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