When the Chicago Bears signed Michael Bush for "only" $14 million over four years, I was ecstatic. Not only did I think the Bears got a great player, they got him at a bargain-bin price --as far as significant contributors go in the National Football League anyway. However, what Bush's exact role will ultimately end up being is still open for speculation.
Standard Short-Yardage Back
Generally speaking, this is the role Bush was brought in for. Not only is he a monster in these scenarios, Matt Forte is pretty terrible. Bush will be the man for those pesky 3rd-and-1 and 4th-and-inches scenarios that have plagued the Bears for a while. Matt Forte is a tremendous running back, but, for whatever reason, he has not been able to produce the same way in short yardage. With Bush, you might as well be lining up a gas-guzzling Hummer.
Complementary Running Back
In this scenario, Bush would be splitting carries with Matt Forte. The only way I could see this coming to fruition is if Bush begins to perform exceptionally well in his limited carries --which he might. Bush doesn't fumble much (averaging about one per season), and he racked up 977 yards and seven touchdowns last season on 256 attempts (good for 3.8 yards per carry). I'll admit Bush is a back that is more effective the less you use him, but combined with the best receiving the corps the Bears have had (ever?), it could be open season for the running backs. He has also been impressing on the receiving end in the Bears' OTAs.
Star Running Back
Matt Forte's contract talks fall through, Forte doesn't play, and all of a sudden Michael Bush is the starting running back for the Chicago Bears. There was a time when I would have thought this a crazy prospect, but as the days and weeks go by with an unhappy Forte, I'm beginning to accept it a little more. I'm not saying I don't think Forte will ultimately sign, but I'm getting my mind used to the concept in case he doesn't. I think Bush would do well, not as well as Forte, but well.
With the question marks surrounding the Bears' offensive line, we don't know the the level of success the backs will achieve. All I know is that Matt Forte has had some pretty strong seasons with a pretty lousy offensive line. If this line is even passable, watch out.
Brian is a lifelong Chicago Bears fan, having lived in Illinois his entire life and having followed the NFL throughout.
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