Friendly rivalries are never a bad thing, especially when it can be to the mutual benefit to a team. That’s why coaches and GMs constantly preach the idea of competition on a roster. When men fear for their jobs, they tend to play harder. It may sound like mental torture, but that’s what it takes to win in the NFL. However, sometimes a rivalry can develop for reasons other than job security. Tarik Cohen and Taylor Gabriel are providing a perfect example.
It started innocently enough. Anthony Miller, the Bears rookie receiver tweeted that Gabriel was clocked running at 24 miles per hour during practice at one point. For an idea of how fast that is? The greatest Olympic sprinter in history, Usain Bolt topped out at 27.8 mph. So yeah Gabriel was moving pretty quick.
Reporters soon brought the question to Cohen during a subsequent press conference about whether he saw it. The running back affirmed the speed himself, but then the question came up that ignited an unexpected feud.
.@TarikCohen discusses upgraded speed, weapons on offense: “With a name like Turbo, you gotta be fast.”
Reporter: “Is he faster then you?”
Rik: “Uh never.”
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) June 6, 2018
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Anybody who knows Cohen at this point understands he’s insanely competitive. He thinks he’s great at everything. Mitch Trubisky even said with a smile that Cohen believes he could play quarterback too. Either way, it was clear he wasn’t having any of the idea that Gabriel is faster. When word got back to the new Bears receiver, things began to heat up.
Tarik Cohen and Taylor Gabriel are setting the stage for 2018 showdown
At first, it seemed like the comments ended there. Soon enough though Gabriel couldn’t resist firing back. He took to Twitter with a simple declaration. He laughed at the idea that Cohen was faster than him and declared there was no chance in hell that the back could beat him in a race.
What’s so funny is bears fans really think it a be a race between me and @TarikCohen lol can’t wait to hit soldier field #BearDown
— Taylor Gabriel (@TGdadon1) June 8, 2018
I’d beat him 10 times out of 10 😂😂😂😂
— Taylor Gabriel (@TGdadon1) June 8, 2018
Cohen, who’s competitive to the millionth degree remember, didn’t take too long in firing back a response.
I will burn turbo ass up
— Tarik Cohen (@TarikCohen) June 8, 2018
Keep in mind that it’s still early June. These two are already geared up like it’s September and opening day is around the corner. One can only imagine how amped up this could get once training camp kicks off later this summer. The two will take every opportunity to play a game of “Can you top this?” In the end, it will be the poor defense who has to suffer the consequences.
Yet it will be the entire team that stands to benefit from this rivalry, regardless of who the winner ends up being.
