NEWSLETTER
Just when you thought Tarik Cohen did it all for the Chicago Bears during his rookie season, it turns out he is doing more in 2018.
“I’m everywhere on the field right now, so there’s no telling the things I’m going to be doing,” Cohen said, via Pro Football Weekly’s Bob LeGere. “It’s really just back to the natural game of football; backyard football. You’re every position; that’s why I’m having so much fun.”
Having fun. Playing backyard football. This all sounds great and it gets me a little more excited about Bears football than I should be at the end of May. Not that there’s a problem with that.
Obviously, Cohen didn’t actually play all the positions on the field, but it definitely felt like he was everywhere at all times whenever the Bears were willing to put him on the field. Cohen lined up in the slot and outside the numbers as a receiver, served as the team’s Wildcat quarterback, returned punts and kicks, and was Jordan Howard’s backup at running back. Remember, Cohen scored touchdowns as a receiver, rusher, returner, and passer in 2017. All while playing on just 36.4 percent of the offense’s total snaps.
Head Coach Matt Nagy said he was “giddy” about working with Cohen this season, and based on some of the highlights we shared above, there are plenty of good reasons for Nagy to feel some type of way about his second-year super-utility back. It’s not hard to imagine Nagy being more creative with Cohen than Dowell Loggains was when he was running the show. And it’s worth keeping in mind that Cohen said he worked out as a wide receiver this offseason in an attempt to diversify his skill set.
Once things really get rolling this summer, Nagy might just line up Cohen anywhere and everywhere in order to create mismatches and maximize on his talent and upside. You can figure Cohen’s snap count and snap percentage to go up with added responsibilities in 2018. Hopefully, his production will match.
