Chicago Bears: Debate Continues Over Fate of This Position
By Erik Lambert
The Chicago Bears have one of the more perplexing roster situations in the NFL, and it’s centering on who will be their starter at running back.
Plenty of names are on the depth chart at that position, but over the past few weeks it’s become clear fans and experts alike are gravitating towards two main camps in their prediction pools. Some believe the original plan is for Jeremy Langford, the 4th round pick from 2015 to step up and replace Matt Forte in line succession. Others think that scenario took a major shift when the team landed Jordan Howard in the 5th round this past April.
It’s sparked an ongoing war of words over which player will end up being the starter come week one in Houston. Prominent beat writers Jeff Dickerson and Mike Clay expressed this divide in their respective predictions for what awaits the Bears at running back in 2016.
Clay:
"“Fifth-round pick Jordan Howard will prove to be the Bears’ top RB. It won’t take long for the 230-pound bruiser out of Indiana to overtake the underwhelming Jeremy Langford.”"
Dickerson:
"“Agree to disagree, Mike: Jeremy Langford will the Bears’ featured rusher, even though John Fox likes the RB-by-committee approach. Eclipsing 1,000 all-purpose yards isn’t out of the question for Langford.”"
This is not an isolated case. From the end of the NFL draft the arguments have continued over whom the projected starter will be. There are those in the camp of Howard, a big bruiser from Indiana who more looks the part of a classic throwback runner with power, toughness and vision to tote the ball 25-30 times per game if asked.
Bold prediction: #Bears rookie RB Jordan Howard (@jhoward_8) will start AT LEAST three games in 2016
— Mike Pendleton (@MP2310) May 5, 2016
@patmckenzie68 Whitehair, Bush, & Jordan Howard I think will start. I think all the picks make the team
— Chicago Sports (@ChicagoSports99) May 2, 2016
The more film I watch on Indiana's RB Jordan Howard, the more I love his game. I think he can be a starter.
— Conor Myles (@SnipeMyles) March 24, 2016
Not to be outdone, Langford has built a strong fan following thanks to his exploits as a rookie. He showed what made him so attractive to the Bears including speed, explosion and versatility. On top of that, he was surprisingly effective in short yardage, scoring a number of his seven touchdowns from inside the 10-yard line. He’s got more experience and is a bigger home run threat. His spurs are already earned.
Jeremy Langford won me a championship in my madden franchise, so I think he can do well as the starter for the Bears. It's elementary.
— Julius Pepperwood (@Wfell35) February 12, 2016
Jeremy Langford waited three years to start in East Lansing. He could be starting after one in the NFL https://t.co/ULPgbySbLu
— Mike Wilson (@ByMikeWilson) March 20, 2016
@MikeTagliereNFL @1GottaGo Jeremy Langford is good.
— Mike Clay (@MikeClayNFL) May 21, 2016
One thing is for sure. The only people not sweating this situation are the Chicago Bears. This is the best kind of problem a team can have because it means they have not one but two capable running backs with the potential to be a starter. With John Fox as head coach, it’s obvious both are going to get fed and probably make plays this year. To say nothing of the overlooked Ka’Deem Carey and forgotten Jacquizz Rodgers. This team may not be rich in superstar names at that position, but it’s clear they have capable bodies.
So let the debate rage on, because it should work out regardless of how it ends up.