Chicago Bears: Tarik Cohen Issues Open Challenge to Taylor Gabriel
By Erik Lambert
The Chicago Bears have a growing confidence on offense. Something unseen for a long time. Not since 2013 at least. This time feels different though.
That year was about the three-headed monster of Matt Forte, Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery that ran roughshod over the league that season. This time around it won’t be about focusing the offense into three studs but spreading it around to so many pieces that defenses will be hopelessly lost as to where the ball will go on any given play. Two of those key focal points expected to see plenty of action are running back Tarik Cohen and wide receiver Taylor Gabriel.
The two share a lot in common. Both came from smaller programs in college. Both are also of small stature, well below 6’0. Each is also known for their considerable speed on the field. Cohen was a ball of lightning who moved all over the field for the Bears last year. Gabriel was a legitimate deep threat for the Atlanta Falcons the past few seasons. If that weren’t enough, the two share similar, eccentric personalities. So it’s only natural they’d become friends.
However, there is one thing that Cohen drew the line at when asked at the Bears’ first mandatory minicamp.
.@TarikCohen discusses upgraded speed, weapons on offense: “With a name like Turbo, you gotta be fast.”
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) June 6, 2018
Reporter: “Is he faster then you?”
Rik: “Uh never.”
Tarik Cohen never stops being a competitor regardless of the opponent
That certainly sounds like a challenge. It’s not surprising. Cohen has developed a reputation for enormous self-confidence since he arrived in Chicago. He believes he can do anything on the field and do it well. It’s hard to argue. He’s one of the few players in NFL history who ran, caught, passed for and returned a touchdown in the same season. That’s a testament to his ability and, yes, speed. So when someone even thinks another person is faster, even a teammate, he’ll take exception.
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He’s out to prove he’s the best and the fastest and the strongest and so on. It would be fascinating to hear what Gabriel has to say about that. One can imagine those two would get into a hell of a trash-talking match throughout the season. Each just trying to one-up the other from week to week. One thing is for sure. Something like that would only serve to benefit the Chicago Bears in the long-term. It’s going to be loads of fun watching those two in that Matt Nagy offense. One can’t envy the defensive coordinators who will have to account for them.