When talking about running the ball in Chicago, there is no person to ask than Bears legend Matt Forte. Forte was a Bear for the first eight years of his career, in which he ran for 8,602 yards and 45 touchdowns, and he appeared in both of his career Pro Bowls as a Bear.
Does Forte See Star Potential in the Bears’ Current Running Backs?
Things are not going well for the Bears’ running game right now. Chicago is 30th in the NFL with just 409 rushing yards in four games. The offense is 19th in the NFL, averaging 328 total yards of offense per game, so this running game is this team’s Achilles heel, and they need to solve it before it is too late.
What did Forte have to say about the Bears’ current running backs?
He seems more upbeat when talking about rookie RB Kyle Monangai, saying that “When he has gotten in there, he has done some nice stuff and made the most of his opportunities.” He also says he hasn’t gotten enough touches to “I haven’t figured out his style as a running back.”
As for D’Andre Swift, Forte asks, “Can you create or make plays when the play isn’t blocked for the success of the play?” He also says, “When you got penetration in the backfield, a lot of times that hinders the play, and sometimes as a running back, you start to press.”
I interpret this as Forte liking what he sees from Swift when the plays are correctly executed. Still, his lack of reps, combined with his offensive line, makes him unprepared for tendencies that they may have, which a back with his tenure may not have if they play behind the same line for six years.
Forte does give Swift a nod of approval when he says, “If you block it up, D’Andre is dangerous.” However, he then seems to question whether this is a good fit, given that these plays are constantly being blown up, and they cannot get on the same page.
D’Andre Swift is having the worst year of his career in terms of efficiency, rushing for just 3.3 yards per carry, but there is some hope, as he has already scored two touchdowns through four games.
Kyle Monangai has run for 62 yards on 17 attempts, but like Forte said, having so few touches under his belt, it is hard to judge the full potential of his skill set correctly. But it is great that he is already showing flashes over this time.