Chicago Bears GM Ryan Pace’s evolution: Running back
How has the running back depth chart changed from the start of the Ryan Pace tenure until now?
With Ryan Pace entering year four as GM, there should be a clear vision established by now. He now has had four NFL drafts to revamp his roster. With that in mind, it will be interesting to see how the roster has evolved from 2015 to now.
Yesterday we looked at the quarterback room
2015:
Matt Forte, Jeremy Langford, Ka’Deem Carey, Jaquizz Rogers
Ryan Pace inherited Matt Forte, he was obviously going to keep him. The only player in which he added in this span was Jeremy Langford, who he drafted.
Langford did not prove to be great pick long term, but in the short time period in which Forte got hurt, Langford did shine.
2016:
Jordan Howard, Jeremy Langford, Ka’Deem Carey, Joique Bell
Ryan Pace may not have even known it at the time, but he effectively replaced Forte in one season with the drafting of Jordan Howard. It did not take long into the career of Howard for him to become a stud.
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That is fortunate for Pace and the Bears because the rest of the backs, including Pace signings Langford and Bell, fell apart.
2017:
Jordan Howard, Tarik Cohen, Benny Cunningham, Taquan Mizzel
The revamping was officially on by year three. Pace knew what he had in Howard and added complements in Cunningham, Cohen, and Mizzel. With the addition of Michael Burton at fullback as well, the group had roles for each player.
2018:
Jordan Howard, Tarik Cohen, Benny Cunningham, Taquan Mizzel
The team may be looking to use Ryan Nall as a de facto upgrade over Michael Burton. Aside from that, they are bringing the crew back. In discussing quarterbacks and running backs, the only year four of running backs featured a time when Ryan Pace was not tinkering with spots, whether it be depth or starter.