NFL.com's Bucky Brooks ranks the Bears' Jordan Howard and Tarik Cohen as the NFL's fourth best "backfield by committee."
"For a team that won just five games in 2017, the Bears have plenty of reasons for optimism heading into the new season," Brooks wrote. "And a lot of the positive vibes spawn from this 1-2 backfield punch, which gave opponents fits last fall.
"Howard has eclipsed 1,000 yards rushing in each of his first two NFL seasons, exhibiting a one-cut running style that is ideally suited for rugged runs between the tackles.
"Cohen is a 5-6, 181-pound jitterbug with explosive stop-start quickness and wiggle. He routinely makes defenders miss in tight quarters and is nearly impossible to snag in the open field. As a designated receiver out of the backfield, Cohen exhibits Darren Sproles-like playmaking ability, but he is more polished and refined as a pass catcher.
"Considering Matt Nagy's experience working with versatile playmakers in Kansas City, the Bears' backfield could be a treat to watch in 2018."
The only backfields Brooks ranks ahead of the Bears are the Saints with Alvin Kamara and Mark Ingram, the Falcons with Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman, and the Titans with Derrick Henry and Dion Lewis.
