The Chicago Bears have been busy lately. After a brief period of inactivity, they’ve hit on a series of signings that help bolster their offense. It started with tight end Robert Tonyan, formerly of the Green Bay Packers. He was quickly joined by a much-needed replacement for David Montgomery. Former 3rd round pick D’Onta Foreman enjoyed a strong season in 2022 with the Carolina Panthers, going for 914 yards and five touchdowns. Now he joins the Bears on a one-year deal for $3 million. That is thievery, considering he’s still only 26 years old.
Foreman came into the league via the Houston Texans in 2017. There were signs of ability as a rookie. Sadly his first few seasons were marred by health setbacks. He was forced to move on from Houston after playing only one game between 2018 and 2019. He landed in Tennessee as a backup to Derrick Henry. Things finally started clicking for him again in 2021, topping over 500 yards with three touchdowns. Then the Panthers took a chance on him. He responded with a torrid stretch of 877 yards over the final 11 games of the season.
Chicago Bears likely aren’t done at running back.
Foreman provides something that the departed David Montgomery doesn’t: speed. He was clocked at a 4.45 in the 40-yard dash in college and that shows up frequently on tape. GM Ryan Poles has said he wants this offense to be more explosive. The combination of Foreman and Khalil Herbert should serve that purpose. There is one lingering issue. Neither player is reliable in the passing game. The Bears need somebody that can be a receiving threat. Maybe Travis Homer can fill that role, but it feels like this team isn’t done adding pieces yet.
Either way, the Chicago Bears’ offense got better today. They added two proven veterans that provide depth at the very least and could be legitimate contributors if used the right way. Poles deserves credit for how he’s approaching this. It’s becoming clearer by the minute that he will be focused on the trenches when the draft begins next month. They need blocking for Justin Fields and multiple pass rushers. With four picks in the first three rounds, they’re well-equipped to attack the problem.
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This is a massive dose of copium after losing Montgomery. Freeman a upgrade? He’s completely ineffective when playing from a score deficit because he needs 20+ carries and has only caught 23 passes…..in his career. He flashed for a handful of games last year, but needed very specific situations to do anything. A line graph of his season looks like a mountain range. Why the Bears picked up a RB that has never caught passes and won’t be available to do so when Fields scrambles after the inevitable pocket break down behind one the worst OLs in the NFL…. is… Read more »
Montgomery is a good back, yall are delusional. Only bright spot in a terrible offense last year.
Tom Waddle
Mar 17, 2023 10:29 am
I’ve seen Foreman play, and no, he is not faster, nor better, than Montgomery.
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Yes he is. Foreman is much faster and much better than Montgomery.
Love this signing. Quality depth at the least. #2 rb at the height
It would appear, Poles is redesigning our lineup to rely more on traditional WR/TEs for receptions. He has added Tunyon and we have a full WR room.