NEWSLETTER
Not only has Tarik Cohen heard the comparisons to Tyreek Hill, he is embracing them.
Cohen told Bears All-Access hosts Jeff Joniak, Jim Miller, and Tom Thayer that he has been watching film on the Kansas City Chiefs offense to see how it could impact his future. And the way Cohen sees it, the parallels between him and the Chiefs’ standout receiver date back to when he was meeting with teams at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis last year.
“When I was at the Combine, coaches would always ask me who I would compare myself to in the league. And I would always tell them Tyreek Hill,” Cohen explained in an interview with the Bears All-Access crew, which you can watch in its entirety below. “I feel like I can do the same kinds of things he does in the Kansas City offense. Now since we have their coach now, I feel like I have to live up to that. And I’m definitely look forward to being the same kind of playmaker.”
Hiring Matt Nagy clearly has brought a buzz and some much-needed positive vibes surrounding the team. Cohen’s skills and Nagy’s savvy play-calling should allow for some big things to happen for the Bears’ offense in 2018. After all, Hill made the comparison himself and sees Nagy using Cohen in a similar way he was used. If that happens to be the case, then Chicago could have something special on its hands.
Cohen is just the latest to express optimism regarding the Bears’ new coaching hire.
Alex Smith believes Nagy will help take Mitch Trubisky’s game to another level. All-Pro tight end Travis Kelce is also excited about Trubisky’s future under Nagy, suggesting the Bears’ new head coach is an ideal fit for Trubisky’s game. Super Bowl winning coach Doug Pederson sees striking similarities between his past and what Nagy’s future might look like. Nagy’s style has been compared favorably to Pederson’s, which is the polar opposite of how John Fox ran things.
Jordan Howard has been the most vocal Bears player in expressing their lofty expectations regarding the new head coach and offensive system. Howard discussed his excitement as he enters Nagy’s offense, which he expects to produce huge numbers, and even guaranteed an NFC North title in 2018. Heck, it worked for Alshon Jeffery … right?
How Cohen evolves in Year 2 will be a top storyline to follow in 2018. Now that the secret weapon is out of the bag, defensive coaches and players will be aware of where Cohen lines up when the Bears’ offense takes the field. When asked if he takes it as a compliment or a challenge, Cohen said it cuts both ways.
“That’s one of the main things I wanted to do, come into the league and get the respect as a football player,” Cohen explained. “I also take it as a challenge to get better. I know I’m going to have to get better, as are defenses against me. They’re going to know about me now, so I have to up my game a notch.”
A better Cohen playing in a better offense is where dreams of a better future begin.
