The Chicago Bears are at a point where they need to start thinking about next season. At 4-9, their playoff hopes are dead. The goal must be to see if they can uncover some potential contributors for next season while also giving the current roster an extra hand. If that means plucking from your division rivals, so be it. The Bears appeared to do some shuffling along the bottom of their roster. With depth at running back still a concern, they signed veteran Royce Freeman. He should add some good size and power to the backfield. However, the more interesting name was Jonathan Ford.
Chicago plucked the big defensive tackle from the Green Bay Packers practice squad. At 6’5, 338 lbs, he doesn’t lack for mass. He has plenty of power as well. The Bears have struggled with their run defense this season. Perhaps they feel Ford can offer them some ability to eat space and double teams, especially with Andrew Billings out for the season.
The Chicago Bears seem to be drifting towards more power.
Interim coach Thomas Brown said he wants a violent team. For that, you need players who are willing to play that style of football. Freeman and Ford check those boxes. Of course, the odds of either getting significant snaps right away are remote. Both have zero knowledge of the team’s systems and need time to get up to speed. That said, defensive coordinator Eric Washington is a defensive line specialist. If anybody can get something out of Ford, it would be him. Even a small contribution from the former 7th round pick would be helpful. If nothing else, this is the first indication that the Chicago Bears are likely prepping for a sustained off-season assault on the trenches, offensively and defensively. Long overdue if you ask us.