One look at this Chicago Bears’ offense and it quickly becomes clear what the strength of this offense will be: the running backs. That is if it has one at all. A slew of new faces, including some implementing new schemes, have contributed to some of the disjointedness that has been reported through the first seven training camp practices.
The defense has looked fast and disruptive having taken to defensive coordinator Alan Williams’ scheme rather quickly.
But make no mistake when reports come out about the offense looking broken at this point. They are referring almost exclusively to the passing game. It is there that second-year quarterback Justin Fields is getting acquainted with his new pass-catchers.
David Montgomery and the rest of the running back room have looked good.
David Montgomery, Running Backs Set to Lead the Chicago Bears Offense
No Secret Sauce
Offensive coordinator Luke Getsy and wide receiver Darnell Mooney have said this the Bears’ offense is not designed to produce a ton of individual stats. That may very well be the case. But the Bears running back depth behind Montgomery is at the very least more proven than most of the wide receiver position behind Mooney.
We also heard from guard Michael Schofield that the system is very similar to the highly-acclaimed offense run by Gary Kubiak. Kubiak cut his teeth working under Mike Shanahan.
Both versions have featured strong rushing attacks at their heart.
Montgomery met with media after Wednesday’s practice and I asked him to describe the diverse talent that the Bears running back room boasts as, arguably, the strength of a team that does not have very many.
“We got a damn good running back room. Khalil [Herbert] being shifty, fast, got all the traits. Treston [Ebner] being very fast. He can get up out of there. And he’s shifty too. Darrynton [Evans], change-of-pace, can do a lot of everything, too. Very good in pass protection but also can make you miss…[De’Montre Tuggle], he’s small, but got a lot of heart. And he can move too, very shifty as well.”
.@MontgomerDavid is meeting with the media@Hyundai | #BearsCamp https://t.co/TGiqK5XDA6
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) August 3, 2022
We have seen all of those things on display throughout camp. The Bears have also seemingly funneling a lot of their offense to the backs.
Montgomery, naturally, said that he hopes the running game is the focal point of the offense.
Big Man on Campus
A big piece in that (literally) is fullback Khari Blasingame who should probably be classified more as a weapon than anything. Blasingame has lined up as a lead blocker, taken some handoffs, and even caught a pass downfield that got the crowd in attendance fired up.
Montgomery knows just what the Bears have in their new lead blocker.
“A bruiser, big strong guy. Can lift you up, I’m telling you, can move you.”
Listed at 6-foot even and 233 pounds, watching Blasingame move as he does is quite the sight. Not just even for his position, in general.
His versatility falls right in line with what Montgomery, who would only describe himself as “just me”, and the rest of the group stand to showcase on a regular basis. Especially if the passing game continues to have the ups and (mostly) downs that it has.
Bears Hope to Lean on Running Backs
Herbert called Montgomery a “great guy, a great leader, and a great teammate”. He is also hoping that the run game is leaned on this coming season. With all of the talent in the running backs room, and an offensive line very much in transition – and possibly starting a fifth-round rookie in Braxton Jones – all signs continue to point to a run-heavy season for the Bears.
Montgomery had one message for the Bears’ detractors.
“We are trying to win and get back to the top. Prove a lot of people wrong because they are looking at us the wrong way.”
Chicago Bears STC Richard Hightower Sees Value in Cross-Training Players
If this team wants to go anywhere this season — which has been debated — they will undoubtedly need to feature a heavy dose of No. 32 and Crew to do so.
