A healthy former Chicago Bears running back is being courted to rejoin the NFL.
Since almost three years ago, Tarik Cohen has not participated in football. After agreeing to a multi-year extension, the former Chicago Bears running back was sidelined for just three games due to an ACL injury. Cohen had significant off-field problems to deal with on top of his unsatisfactory rehabilitation.
Fans were expecting Tarik Cohen to return at the start of the 2021 season. Sadly, that never took place. Cohen’s situation worsened, though. Following the dismissal of Ryan Pace and Matt Nagy, Ryan Poles and Matt Eberflus took over as the new administration. Cohen became a free agent when the Poles released him. Cohen’s free agency experience wasn’t very successful either. He tried to livestream a workout to demonstrate his health, but in the process, he tore his Achilles.
It’s important to note that Cohen didn’t leave empty-handed. He had just guaranteed $12 million and inked a three-year contract extension. It’s a little absurd to blame the Chicago Bears for cutting him when he hadn’t played in more than a year. Having said that, I’m glad to see the “Human Joystick” given another chance.
Would you support Tarik Cohen’s return if he were well? Even with the injuries, I have to think he would be a better choice than Velus Jones. Still, I’m not sold on the idea either. I think it would be better if he had an opportunity somewhere else. On his Twitch channel, he mentioned that a team that is interested wears black jerseys. Could he come to Atlanta with Ryan Pace?
Bears return from bye week with an emphasis on finishing
After their bye week, the Bears arrived back at Halas Hall on Monday feeling rejuvenated and ready to take on the remaining games of the regular season.
“It was nice, nice to kind of mentally and physically reset a little bit and know you’ve got five of these [games] left in the regular season,” Cole Kmet, the tight end, said. “Just a good mental break and physical break.”
Eberflus stated, “It’s really about finishing.” “You mention completion. The first game is [Sunday’s]. You really must finish. I was pleased with how the guys concluded the previous game. That was a while ago. You now look forward. That seems to be the main point. In the NFL, completion within the two- or four-minute time frame signifies the conclusion
Last Monday night in Minnesota, the Bears finished brilliantly, overcoming a 10-9 deficit to win 12-10 thanks to a 30-yard field goal by Cairo Santos with just 10 seconds left. After forcing a three-and-out, the defense allowed Justin Fields to connect with DJ Moore for a crucial 36-yard pass to the Minnesota 13, setting up the game-winning kick.
“Once you finish that, it’s really good,” Eberflus remarked. “You can feel the guys’ energy out there, the optimism, the enthusiasm, the belief in themselves and the belief in each other.”
With what had happened in their last game in Detroit, the Bears’ closing play against the Vikings was especially satisfying. Late in the game, the Bears led 26–14, but the Lions rallied for a 31–26 victory in the final 2:59 by scoring 17 points in a row.
The Bears are keen to exact revenge for what happened at Ford Field on November 19 and have a rematch with Detroit scheduled for this Sunday at Soldier Field.
“There is a sense of motivation and optimism,” Eberflus remarked. You could sense the focus on our guys today, for sure. During the walk-through, you could definitely sense the energy. The guys are motivated to do well this week and are tuned in.”
Eberflus is happy with the Bears’ current state of health, stating on Monday that rookie cornerback Tyrique Stevenson seems to be a candidate to play again after missing the Vikings game due to an ankle injury he suffered during practice.
“That’s how it appears,” Eberflus stated. “Once we get him out there in pads and get him moving around and changing direction … certainly like where he is, for sure.”
Stevenson may still split reps with fellow rookie Terrell Smith if he is able to play against the Lions. After missing more than a month due to mono, the Minnesota Vikings fifth-round selection led the team with eight tackles in his return game.
“We will definitely consider that,” Eberflus stated. “We want to give our young guys more and more playing time, and Smitty did play well. We will play them if they are productive and successful.”
On the rise: After a 0–4 start, the Bears have improved, amassing a 4–4 record. However, the rest of the NFC North is also getting stronger; the Vikings have won five of seven, the Packers have won four of five, and the Lions have won eight of their last ten games.
Everyone seems to be getting better, according to Eberflus. “And playing well every week is obviously a challenge for everyone in the division. It’s how the NFL is set up. At the end, they play divisional games and establish it
