TAMPA, FLORIDA – DECEMBER 29: Devonta Freeman #24 of the Atlanta Falcons rushes during a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on December 29, 2019 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
As NFL Free Agency begins, should the Chicago Bears consider adding running back Devonta Freeman?
Looking at the state of the Chicago Bears running back position right now, one thing is very clear: David Montgomery is the future of the position. Then there’s Tarik Cohen, who’s supposed to be the ultimate gadget weapon for the Bears but regressed in 2019. After that, it’s preseason star Ryan Nall who’s never played a significant number of snaps during any regular season games.
Montgomery and Cohen are solid pieces but if the Bears want to make things really interesting, they should look into adding the recently released Devonta Freeman. Coming off his sixth season with the Atlanta Falcons, Freeman has accumulated 3972 rushing yards, 32 rushing touchdowns, and 257 receptions.
It’s clear that Freeman’s been a workhorse. However, he’s not the player he used to be. But the Bears should still consider him for a number of reasons. First, Freeman would cost next to nothing in today’s NFL. He’s the perfect kind of low-risk, high-reward type of player the Bears should take a chance on.
Second, all Freeman may need is a change of scenery. He missed 14 games in 2018 due to injuries and then missed just two games in 2019. While some will point to this as a red flag, when healthy, he’s proven that he can be a solid player capable of being a playmaker.
Third, as mentioned above, the Bears running back room is essentially Cohen and Montgomery. Nall cannot be relied upon and will likely be a candidate to be cut when the team finalizes its 53-man roster ahead of the 2020 season.
That’s why bringing in a guy like Freeman is something the Bears need to consider. Not only would he be an upgrade over Nall but he’d also give the Bears a veteran presence that could help mentor Montgomery.
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When looking at a potential price tag for Freeman, a reasonable price for the Bears would be about four million dollars a year with no guaranteed money. This would mean that Freeman would have a chance to show that he can still play in today’s NFL by signing a one-year prove-it deal. For the Bears, if things don’t work out, they can cut Freeman and have no dead money leftover.
Overall, while some may not entertain the idea of bringing on a guy like Freeman, general manager Ryan Pace has consistently stated that if there’s an opportunity for the Bears to make the roster better, they’ll consider it. This is a prime opportunity for Pace to live up to his words.
