NEWSLETTER
The smallest guy on the field might turn out to have the biggest shot at ending a pretty significant Bears-related drought. Chicago’s postseason drought that dates back to 2010 is one of those things we’d like to see wiped off the board as soon as possible, but has anyone realized the stretch of years this team has gone without a first-team member of the NFL’s All-Pro team? Because it’s a bit of a doozy … and Tarik Cohen stands to change that.
NFL.com analyst Elliot Harrison recently tried his hand at projecting the 2018 first-team All-Pro members. And while the Bears were nearly blanked across the board, Harrison’s choice of Cohen as an All-Pro punt returner represents a glimmer of hope for the future.
Cohen finished his rookie season ranked in the top 10 in total punt return yards (272) and average yards per return (9.4). He wasn’t shabby returning kicks, either. Cohen racked up 583 return yards and a 22.4 yards per return average, both of which checked in among the 10 best. It’s not to imagine how many more yards Cohen could have gained had the Bears’ special teams not committed 20 special teams penalties, which were tied for the 12th most in the NFL last season.
The only thing that could keep Cohen from reaching his All-Pro potential as a return specialist is Head Coach Matt Nagy giving the multi-talented speedster more snaps with the offense and taking away from his special teams snaps. Cohen has been mostly invisible throughout the offseason, but that’s by team design as to not tip their hand on what could be in store in Week 1 and throughout the regular season. It’s clear that Nagy wants to get Cohen on the field as much as possible and put the ball in his hands just as often. And it’s not a coincidence that Cohen has talked about practicing everywhere in the Bears’ new offense throughout the offseason.
I wonder if the added exposure will allow Cohen to break out a move like this:
Whoa. Got your next move, Tarik. 👀 pic.twitter.com/cyrW3ntuu7
— Bleacher Nation Bears (@BN_Bears) August 24, 2018
Because I can tell that you’re curious, wide receiver Brandon Marshall and cornerback Charles Tillman were both named to the Associated Press’ All-Pro first-team in 2012, but no Bears player has earned first-team honors since. That’s two GMs, four head coaches, five offensive coordinators, and six years.
I guess that could go a long way toward explaining the team’s playoff drought, too. But the tides could be changing, and it could start with a 5-foot-6, 181-pound jack-of-all-trades.
