Four RB targets for Bears in free agency

Williams is a talented running back (David Reginek - USA Today Sports)

by Dustin Riese - Senior Writer - Thu Mar 09 08:32:07 GMT-04:00 2023

Over the next few weeks, the NFL offseason will be in full swing as the free agent signing period will be underway. Not only are the Bears expected to be very aggressive, but they also have many questions they need to answer. One of those questions falls on the feet of David Montgomery and whether or not they should lock him up long-term.

Entering his fifth season, Montgomery is looking for a long-term deal, whether that comes from Chicago or not. He has been an underrated back for the last several years and has given the Bears the most consistent production from the RB since Jordan Howard and Matt Forte. Is he worth the 8-10 million a season he will be asking? Perhaps, but that is a number the Bears will most likely pass on.

Remember that Khalil Herbert is still on this roster and comes at a much lower price. Herbert also showed more than enough to be trusted with a more prominent role this season, so the Bears may be content with letting him take over. However, Herbert will need some help, and unless Treston Ebner shows significant improvement, look for the Bears to search the free agent market for a backup RB.

If that is the plan, there are plenty of options available. Some of the options the team may look at could be starters in Chicago and would keep Herbert at his current RB 2 role. Even at that, Herbert will see plenty of carries as Chicago has proven to be one of the best in the league at running the ball.

Jamaal Williams

This is a name we discussed earlier this offseason as a possible fit for the Bears, and his name is not going away. The former Green Bay Packer and now Detroit Lions RB Williams checks some of the boxes the Bears are looking at. While he may not be a bell-cow back, he is a beast inside the red zone and led the NFL in rushing TDs this past season while setting the Lions' franchise record.

Keep in mind he also has ties to Luke Getsy from his Packer days and will have a lot of familiarity with the scheme Getsy likes to run. He would be an excellent addition to the Bears as he would be the thunder to the Herbert Lightning.

Raheem Mostert

One of the more intriguing RB names on the open is Mostert, whose time in Miami appears to be over. Primarily a RB 2, or at the very worst, RB 1-A, Mostert has shown more than enough abilities to be trusted as the top RB on a team. He has the agility you look for, the speed to outrun defenders, and the field vision to follow his blockers and make something happen.

His biggest issue has always been health, and he has had difficulty staying on the field long-term. This is another sensible option for the Bears for the right price and/or years, as he would give them an excellent veteran presence to help the offense thrive.

Jerick McKinnon

One of the more intriguing RBs in the free-agent class is McKinnon. Fresh off his first Superbowl title with the Kansas City Chiefs, McKinnon is known as the swiss army knife as he does a little of everything. If you want to go further, you can say that he is exactly what Tarik Cohen was for Chicago, and they could be looking to bring a player like that back.

When on the field, McKinnon has shown the ability to run the ball, but most importantly, he is a pass-catching RB which the Bears need. That could be the selling point here, and the Bears could be the favorites to land him this offseason.

Alexander Mattison

Finally, we get to a guy the Bears are all too familiar with in, former Minnesota Viking RB Alexander Mattison. Granted, the Vikings still have the option to franchise tag him, but Mattison appears as good as gone and will look to sign a long-term contract to become a starting RB.

However, given the Vikings salary cap situation and the potential they cut or try to trade Dalvin Cook, Mattison will be a piece to watch this offseason as he could end up being Cook's replacement. When given an opportunity, although brief, Mattison has proven he can handle 20-plus carries and has been a very durable asset in Minnesota. He already has experience as that back who can contribute despite being RB2 or an RB1.