Running backs matter. They really do. I know many believe they’re a dime a dozen, but the reality is a good running game is still needed in today’s NFL. The issue teams run into is when a back’s contract is up, and it’s time to pay because you can’t reward him for past production, and it’s rare when a running back continues to ascend as a player into their late 20s. It’s a physically demanding position, which lends itself to teams churning through players, so finding a committee to handle the load can be a solution.
The Chicago Bears find themselves with one good runner under contract, but his game has some deficiencies.