NEWSLETTER
Just because place-kicker might be the Chicago Bears’ most glaring need at the moment doesn’t mean it’s the team’s only focus this offseason. In fact, it appears as if they are diving head-first into a position of perceived strength.
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The #Bears interviewed 4 or 5 RBs last night, Ryan Pace said
— Patrick Finley (@patrickfinley) February 27, 2019
As noted by Patrick Finley of the Chicago Sun-Times, Bears GM Ryan Pace told reporters during his meeting with the assembled media at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis (which you can watch here, if you so choose) the team has already interviewed with as many as five running backs. Considering that the Combine’s events haven’t even started yet, that feels noteworthy.
There are 27 running backs (and one fullback!) scheduled to participate at the Combine. Among the names Bears fans might be familiar with based on college football showcase games, early mock draft watches, and general buzz include Darrell Henderson (Memphis), Bryce Love (Stanford), David Montgomery (Iowa State), Tony Pollard (Memphis), Miles Sanders (Penn State), Devin Singletary (Florida Atlantic), Benny Snell Jr. (Kentucky), and Mike Weber (Ohio State). Perhaps there is genuine interest on the Bears’ behalf. Or maybe this is all a smoke screen. In either case, there are still plenty of opportunities for backs to get theirs (even in the pass-happy NFL) and Chicago’s front office appears intent on rounding out the room by injecting it with additional talent.
You can take a look at the list of participants who play running back here and check out what other rushers could be on the Bears’ radar. Because if they have already met with five, it means they have met with nearly 20 percent of the available backs in Indianapolis. No matter how things shake out in the days, weeks, and months ahead, it’s becoming clear that running back is a position the Bears have a particular focus on this offseason. Let’s keep our eyes and ears open as the rumor mill starts to spin.
