National Football League

Bears looking to reinstate '1-2 punch' at running back under Fox, Gase

Published May. 18, 2015 10:56 a.m. ET

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The Chicago Bears have gotten away from handing off to the No. 2 running back the last couple seasons. John Mullin of CSN Chicago notes that 100-carry seasons for backup ball-carriers used to be the norm in Chicago, but Michael Bush's 63 carries in 2013 and Ka'Deem Carey's 36 in 2014, combined, fall below that threshold.

Mullin would consider it a "surprise" if fourth-round selection Jeremy Langford out of Michigan State doesn't crack the 100-carry mark behind starter Matt Forte in 2015.

"We’ve always been believers in kind of a 1-2 punch and rolling guys through there whether it’s the d-line; a wave of those guys to stay fresh," Bears head coach John Fox told CSN Chicago. "I’ve always had the approach the same thing with running backs."

Fox's affinity for a two-back approach dates back to his days with the Carolina Panthers. However, with the Bears, his offense is armed with one of the NFL's most dynamic running backs in Forte. Offensive coordinator Adam Gase described the complications that could arise.

"This is an unusual situation just because Matt has been in such great shape and has been so dynamic as far as staying on the field," Gase said, per CSN Chicago. "We've just got to see how it plays out."

Forte, who is also a well-versed pass-catcher, can rack up a ton of touches without his backup ever seeing the field. If Fox and Gase are truly committed to a two-back system, they will be required to pull their best offensive weapon off the field for several snaps per game.

(h/t CSN Chicago)

Photo Credit: Mike DiNovo/USA TODAY Sports

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