Chicago Bears: 5 offseason needs in 2020

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - DECEMBER 22: Khalil Mack #52 of the Chicago Bears rushes against Eric Fisher #72 of the Kansas City Chiefs at Soldier Field on December 22, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. The Chiefs defeated the Bears 26-3. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

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GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN – DECEMBER 15: David Montgomery #32 of the Chicago Bears runs with the football in the first half against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on December 15, 2019 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images) /

3. Establish a reliable ground game

For three seasons, running back Jordan Howard proved he could take on a heavy workload. A fifth-round draft choice from Indiana University back in 2016, he finished second in the league in rushing that year behind Dallas’ Ezekiel Elliott.

During his stay with the Bears, he totaled a minimum of 250 carries each year with the club. That included 2018 under then-new head coach Matt Nagy as Howard rolled up exactly 250 attempts for 935 yards and nine scores that season.

But last offseason, the three-year pro was dealt to the Philadelphia Eagles. And unfortunately for the Birds, he was limited by a shoulder injury suffered in November that saw him miss six consecutive games. Earlier this month, he signed with the Miami Dolphins as an unrestricted free agent.

As for the Bears, only five teams in the league gained fewer yards on the ground this past season. Nagy’s team was limited to fewer than 100 yards on the ground in 10 of their first 12 games. But Chicago managed to run for 150-plus yards in two of their final four outings.

Rookie David Montgomery showed flashes courtesy of 889 yards and six scores on 242 carries. And perhaps the answer is simply giving him the football more in 2020. But the Bears’ attack could certainly use a little more balance this upcoming season.

Next: No. 2

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