The Chicago Bears have concerns at the running back position. D’Andre Swift remains the unquestioned starter going into the regular season. However, the situation behind him is precarious at best. Roschon Johnson has been out for weeks with a foot injury. Travis Homer has missed time with a calf problem. Rookie Kyle Monangai missed the last two preseason games with a soft tissue injury. The depth at running back was already a concern for the Bears coming into August. Now it’s a crisis.
It was hinted that GM Ryan Poles might approach the trade market for potential help. The challenge is obviously finding someone credible who is available at a decent price. As it happens, the Jacksonville Jaguars might be obliged based on information from team writer John Shipley of Sports Illustrated.
RB (4): Travis Etienne, Tank Bigsby, Bhayshul Tuten (R), LeQuint Allen (R)
I believe the Jaguars will look to unload one of their veteran backs. If they can’t, I think they carry these four and make one of the two rookies inactive on game day.
Shipley explained further in another article.
Much of this stems from how much the Jaguars love their two new rookie additions. Carrying four running backs is possible, but it’s more likely they may wish to keep three and use that extra roster spot elsewhere. In such a scenario, he believes the name with the best odds of getting dealt is Bigsby.
With the way the Jaguars seem to be enamored with rookie running backs Bhayshul Tuten and LeQuint Allen Jr., it seems to make sense if the Jaguars were to look to deal one of Travis Etienne or Tank Bigsby. Both are very different style of players, but I am of the opinion that Bigsby would be the most likely option if this were to happen.
Bigsby is younger and cheaper than Etienne and is a better pure rusher, but his issues as a passing-down back limit the Jaguars’ flexibility from a scheme perspective — something the head coach himself noted earlier in training camp.
The Chicago Bears could absolutely use someone like Bigsby.
The former 3rd round pick had a strong second season for Jacksonville last year, going for 766 yards and seven touchdowns while averaging a healthy 4.6 yards per carry. While not a premier athlete, he’s well-built and has excellent vision. He is a pure runner. Catching the ball as a receiver has never been his strength. The good news is the Chicago Bears don’t need that with Swift on the roster. They require somebody who can pair with him, providing a tough running style similar to what David Montgomery brought in Detroit. Bigsby can absolutely be that. The next day or two will determine whether Jacksonville makes him available. It is unlikely they’d demand more than a mid-round pick for him. This move would definitely solve one of the Bears’ biggest problems.
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