As veteran running back Matt Forte settles in with his new team in New York, the Bears mix of running backs are battling to become the next workhorse in Dowell Loggains’ offense.
Second-year man out of Michigan State, Jeremy Langford, appears to be the most likely player to reap the benefits of an open-backfield. That being said, rookie Jordan Howard remains the one to keep an eye on. He could climb the depth chart during Training Camp if he can adapt to the new playbook. During training camp is where he will be able to show off the power-running style that helped him rush for over 1,500 yards in his final season with Indiana.
“He appears to be the kind of guy who will excel a little more when we’re in pads,” Head Coach John Fox said,” Not in underwear.”
Howard isn’t going to wow anybody with his shiftiness or straight-line speed like other members of the Chicago Bears backfield. He’ll wow with his ability to pick up the tough yards and break tackles. This means Howard will most likely be asked to come in on short-yardage plays or goal-line situations when the regular season rolls around. Whatever he ends up being asked to do, Howard will do it in order to get on the field.
“I definitely want to play my rookie year,” he said. “I never sat out, anytime I played. I left college, where I’m playing every game and playing almost every snap. I just want to get out there on the field.”
The first step in that process begins July 28th as the Bears stable of running backs including Howard, Langford, Jacquizz Rodgers, and Ka’Deem Carey will begin battling at Training Camp for the bell-cow distinction left vacant by Matt Forte.
