The Bears will have a pair of veteran running backs in for workouts. ESPN’s Field Yates reports (via Twitter) that Spencer Ware and Rod Smith are set to audition for the team.
Chicago doesn’t necessarily need any help at running back. Following a slow start to the season, David Montgomery has really picked it up recently; the 23-year-old has 288 rushing yards, 121 receiving yards, and four touchdowns over his past three games. Veteran Cordarrelle Patterson has also been a solid backup, as he’s hauled in 20 receptions through 13 games.
Still, the Bears are presumably looking for a replacement for Lamar Miller, who joined the team’s practice squad in early October. The former Pro Bowler was poached by Washington yesterday, and Chicago clearly doesn’t have an issue giving that practice-squad spot to a veteran.
So, in comes Ware and Smith for workouts. Ware has the most starting experience of the duo, mostly via a 2016 campaign when he rushed for 921 yards and three scores in 14 starts. After missing the entire 2017 season due to injury, Ware returned to (mostly) a backup role in 2018. He had a brief stint with Indy in 2019 before rejoining the Chiefs. After ending the 2019 season on IR, the 29-year-old hasn’t been able to find a new gig in 2020.
Smith spent most of his first four seasons in the NFL as Ezekiel Elliott‘s backup in Dallas. Following a 2018 campaign where he averaged only 2.9 yards per carry, Smith didn’t get any carries in six games last season with the Titans and Raiders. He joined the Giants practice squad earlier this season but was released a few weeks later.
Really hope they add Ware to the practice squad. We all know what happens if you spare the Rod.
The Bear are like that cold-sweat nightmare that you fight like hell to wake up from… and then when you finally wake up and manage to open your eyes, you realize you can’t move. So you’re just stuck. 35 years stuck in sheer, utter futility.
They had some good seasons after 1985. The Bears usually have good Defenses and a solid Run Game.
Just have had no luck at QB, when your Best QB is Sid Luckman and your 2nd best is Jim McMahon.
Trubisky was an idiotic pick with a guy who I saw play in High School and College. Should have stayed in school another yr. He was not and will never be as good as the Quarterbacks he was drafted ahead of Watson and Mahomes. 14 yrs with an above .500 record after the Superbowl yr of 85. plus three 8-8 records. makes it like 17 yrs of Futility. Ed Brown, Billy Wade, Mike Tomczak, Harbaugh, The Bears went 11-2 with JIm Miller, The Bears should have started Krenzel every game in 2004 he was 3-2. Kyle Orton, Rex Grossman, So far even Mitch has a winning Record as the Starter 27-20 but that is because of the Defense. Not because of anything Nagy has done. Nagy was not as pass happy the 1st yr as HC and playcaller but the last 2 yrs yes, yes, and yes.
Their best QB was Jay Cutler, and they couldn’t run him out of town fast enough.
I don’t think you could conceivably rank Cutler ahead of Luckman, but your point stands as to recent QBs.
The Bears have had good QBs sprinkled in certain spots. They’ve had some good receivers, in spots. They’ve also had good backs. Rarely have they had them at the same time. The year that they did, they ended up winning a Super Bowl.
Bears even after the last 2 games avg just 22.07 run plays a game. They are 1-4 in games when they rush less then 20 times. They are in a battle with the Jags and Texans for the lead in league low attempts. Jags 282 Texans 289.
Even the Eagles and Jets now have 316, along with the Steelers, while the Bengals have 318. Forgot the Bucs hiding with 303 lousy carries. While the Ravens, Patriots, Browns, Titans, Saints and Cards all have over 400 rush attempts. Not counting tonights game.
Add Rod Smith to roster. He’s very capable and sure to do well for the Bears.