A lot of people laughed at the Chicago Bears when they signed Tarik Cohen to a contract extension.  What were they thinking? Paying a part-time running back $17.25 million in new money made no sense. They could replace this guy at the drop of a hat. Such a waste of resources. Wonder how those people are feeling right about now.

While the offensive line remains the focal point of the Bears’ struggles, the absence of Cohen continues to loom ever larger with each passing week. They truly miss his speed and versatility. The lack of his threat as a receiver out of the backfield looms large. Here’s a stat for you. Despite having not played a snap in a month now, Cohen still ranks seventh on the team in yards from scrimmage with 115.

Cole Kmet, Demetrius Harris, and Javon Wims all have less.

Perhaps nowhere is his presence missed more than on punt return duty. Cohen was one of the better returners in the NFL and understood how to operate in that position. Since going down, the team turned that job over to veteran Ted Ginn Jr. A decision that has continued to haunt them for the past several weeks. The 35-year old couldn’t look more disinterested if he tried.

Perhaps nobody summed it up better than Kyle Long. During an interview with Red Line Radio discussing what is ailing the Bears offense, he singled out Cohen’s absence as major.

“Tarik Cohen being out is f**king huge. People don’t realize how good this guy was and how much of a factor he is when defensive coaches are looking at gameplans. They say, ‘We’ve got to find #29.'”

Tarik Cohen opened up opportunities for everybody

What Long says is true. A couple of years ago when the Bears were getting set to play the New York Jets, one of their defenders was asked if about Chicago’s offense. He stated the only name in that lineup they were concerned about was Cohen. The fact he later burned them on a 70-yard screen pass for a TD pretty much justified that fear.

It’s hard to deny reality. In the first three games where Cohen was involved this year, the Bears offense topped 300 total yards every time. Since he went down, they haven’t topped 280 in four-straight. Yes, the quality of defenses they’ve played is a factor in that but it’s clear the Bears missed Cohen in all of those games. His mere presence created opportunities for others.

So what can the Bears do?

Luckily they may have some help on the way. Veteran Lamar Miller was signed back on October 5th. Though 29-years old, he has a track record of having similar speed and versatility in his game. No doubt a big reason why the Bears signed him. Thus far they’ve kept him stashed on the practice squad, likely working him into game shape and testing out his surgically-repaired knee. Miller tore his ACL last year.

Head coach Matt Nagy said he’s getting close to being ready. One has to imagine the running back will be elevated to the main roster at some point soon. If he’s anything close to the player he was two years ago? It’ll be a gigantic boost to the Bears offense. That combined with the presence of veteran punt returner Dwayne Harris might finally get the team on a stable footing without Cohen.