Chicago Bears: It's time to feed Tarik Cohen

The Chicago Bears are still trying to find their way in the new Matt Nagy offense. This isn’t a surprise. When we say “new” it’s not a small thing.

Everything about this system is new. Not only was the offensive arsenal almost completely overhauled, but Nagy himself said many of the concepts in the scheme are brand new as well. This due in large part to the collaboration between him and offensive coordinator Mark Helfrich. Unsurprisingly, this has led to plenty of kinks that need working out.

One problem that Nagy has had is not understanding that sometimes the best thing to do is just get the ball in the hands of your best players. Jordan Howard has gone over 20 carries just once in three games. Allen Robinson has gotten plenty of targets, which is good. However, perhaps the biggest oversight for the coaching staff is not getting Tarik Cohen more involved.

Put it this way. In his first three games last season, Cohen had 44 touches of the football. So far in the first three games this season? He has 21. Given what he can do, that’s not nearly enough. The numbers from last year even shows that the offense benefits the more he gets the ball.

The Bears have excelled when Cohen gets enough carries

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Here’s the thing. Cohen is a running back at heart. He was a pretty good one at North Carolina A&T. One who handled a full load of carries. During his final two years in college, he ran the ball 476 times in 24 games. That’s 19.83 per game. That’s before all the times they threw him the ball as well. He may be short but don’t ever call him soft. Cohen can handle the physicality.

So far it seems like Nagy is convinced he can’t. In three games, the Bears have handed him the ball just 14 times total. That’s not enough. Here’s why. Last year, Cohen got at least 10 carries in a game just three times. The thing is they were 3-0 in those games. Not only that, but the Bears offense piled up an average of 397 total yards per game and scored an average of 27.66 points.

Maybe that’s a sign that they need to stop getting cute with things and start giving him the ball more. Why? He makes things happen. His speed and quickness scare defenses to death. They’re applauding Matt Nagy every time he only gets limited touches in a game plan because it’s less times they have to chase him all over the field.

Cohen had 53 yards on five carries in Arizona. Imagine what he might’ve done had the Bears simply doubled that. Something to keep in mind.

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Chicago Bears: It’s time to feed Tarik Cohen

By Erik Lambert | Sep 28, 2018

The Chicago Bears are still trying to find their way in the new Matt Nagy offense. This isn’t a surprise. When we say “new” it’s not a small thing.

The Bears have excelled when Cohen gets enough carries

More from NFL Mocks