Chicago Bears: 4 discounted free agent running backs Ryan Pace must consider

Chicago Bears (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images)
Chicago Bears (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images)
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Chicago Bears, Isaiah Crowell
Chicago Bears (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

Isaiah Crowell

Signing a guy who did not play in 2019 will be difficult. This holds especially true in a year that the offseason and physicals are not held in the same manner we are used to due to COVID-19. This should not keep Ryan Pace from signing the likes of Isaiah Crowell. Crowell missed all of last season because of a torn Achilles. This is not an easy injury to come back from, but with a year-plus underway, it is definitely possible.

Crowell has some unbelievable numbers for a guy who has not been viewed as a top back in the NFL. Not to mention, he is only going to be 27 this season. He should have plenty left in his tank. Crowell also has plenty of starting experience. In 77 games, Crowell has started 55 of them. He played his four seasons in Cleveland and one year with the Jets. He was supposed to be playing for the Raiders in 2019, but that clearly did not happen.

In his five seasons in the NFL, Crowell has averaged 4.3 yards per carry. He has two years under his belt (2016 and 2018) when he averaged 4.8 yards per carry. During those five seasons, Crowell also has 27 rushing touchdowns. That is just over five touchdowns per season. Those numbers aside, he is not much of a receiving threat. This plus the injury could deter the coaching staff from considering Crowell, but he should come extremely cheap and would be an immediate upgrade.

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