Chicago Bears: How changes to the running game can lead to offensive success

Other Chicago Bears weapons

Tarik Cohen is a good player and, when used correctly, allows this offense to flourish in ways other teams don’t. He needs to have that other inside player become a threat to create mismatches as a co-threat, aka adjuster.

When Trey Burton was healthy, and on the field, Cohen was a nightmare for defenses. Insert Jimmy Graham and Cole Kmet. Any Combination of them on the field with produce results. That should increase the use of unseen personnel groupings for the Chicago Bears.

While many want to see what the young receivers can do like Javon Wims, Riley Ridley, and Darnell Mooney, I want to see Allen Robinson and Anthony Miller on the field with two tight ends (12 personnel).

With carrying five tight ends again and one being a hybrid fullback, I would suspect we see more 22 personnel and 13 personnel. 11 personnel won’t ever leave the game; however, a unique grouping can exploit even the toughest defenses. So, where does that leave the other running backs in the offense?

The Chicago Bears listed Cordarrelle Patterson as a receiver; I expect him to have his plays at the running back position. I am not including him in this conversation, though. I am talking about David Montgomery and Ryan Nall. When do the Chicago Bears use them, and how?

While many want Montgomery to be the bell-cow earning 20+ carries a game, Matt Nagy did not ever intend to use him that way. Montgomery was not brought in to wear defenses down. Nagy wants running backs who can make people miss and gain yards inside the tackles while catching passes.