Artavis Pierce – Page 3 – Syndication Server

ESPN lacks faith in Bears running back depth in 2020

ESPN named the Bears running backs group as the shakiest in the NFL, given the lack of depth behind David Montgomery and Tarik Cohen.

During an offseason where the Chicago Bears made some notable additions at positions of need on offense, including quarterback and tight end, it’s the running back position that was ignored and remains a concern heading into the 2020 season.

ESPN took a look at every running back group in the NFL, and they believe the Bears have the shakiest running back situation. Which makes a little sense given the lack of depth behind David Montgomery and Tarik Cohen.

This is one of the situations where “it’s all relative” really comes into play. Could David Montgomery and Tarik Cohen put together a solid or exceptional season? Absolutely. However, it’s not hard to identify more proven and effective backs on the other 31 rosters. Montgomery underwhelmed on 267 touches as a third-round rookie last season, whereas Cohen posted atrocious yardage numbers on a per-carry (3.3) and per-target (4.4) basis. Furthermore, Chicago’s depth is also arguably weakest in the league.

There’s a ton of hype surrounding Montgomery heading into his second season. And it’s easy to see why. He had 889 rushing yards and six touchdowns. He also added 25 receptions for 185 yards and a score. Montgomery surpassed 1,000 all-purpose yards as a rookie.

That despite the overall struggles of the run game, including the offensive line and Matt Nagy’s aversion to the run. Montgomery hasn’t gotten a fair shake, which will certainly change in 2020 given the increased focus that’s been placed on finding a balance on offense.

Any concerns from the run game don’t stem from Montgomery or Cohen. Rather, the lack of depth behind them. Two unproven players in Ryan Nall and undrafted rookie Artavis Pierce will battle for the third running back spot, which will ultimately serve as Montgomery’s backup.

The Bears would do well to bring in a veteran running back to compete for that third spot. But, at least at this point, they seem content with the options on the roster.

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8 Bears players who need a great training camp

With a plethora of starting jobs and roster spots up for grabs, that leaves just training camp for these Bears players to prove their worth.

With so much competition on this Chicago Bears roster, this is the worst possible time for an unconventional season. But that’s life, you have to deal with the challenges, even in the NFL.

That means an entirely virtual offseason and no preseason games for head coach Matt Nagy to make some pretty important decisions, including who his starting quarterback will be. With a plethora of starting jobs and roster spots up for grabs, that leaves just training camp for players to prove their worth to Nagy and general manager Ryan Pace.

Let’s take a look at eight Bears players that need a great training camp.

1. QB Mitchell Trubisky

Mitchell Trubisky needs a great training camp, great practices, a great regular season and pretty much a great everything at this point if he wants to keep his future in Chicago intact. But let’s start with a solid training camp, because if that doesn’t happen, the rest doesn’t get a chance to happen either. Trubisky is coming off his worst season as a pro, which was evidenced by Pace’s decision to go out and trade for his potential replacement in Nick Foles, and he’ll have to earn his starting job.

There were many that had already written Trubisky off in this quarterback competition. But in a strange a turn of events, Trubisky actually has a slight advantage heading into this battle. With the virtual offseason and no preseason games, Trubisky’s familiarity with Chicago’s skill players gives him an edge over Foles. Still, Trubisky needs to come out strong in training camp and prove to Nagy that he’s cleaned up the issues that plagued him last season, including his mechanics and reading defenses.

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Top roster battles at the start of Bears training camp

There’s a lot of competition at several positions on the Bears’ roster. Let’s take a look at those battles happening in training camp.

Last year, it was the kicker competition between Eddy Pineiro and Elliott Fry that was the biggest discussion at training camp. Which was a good thing considering that there weren’t many questions outside of kicker.

But this season that’s completely changed. Well, not completely. There will be a kicker competition for the second straight training camp — albeit one that won’t be as front and center. But one of the themes for this season for general manager Ryan Pace and head coach Matt Nagy is the focus on competition at multiple positions. And there’s a lot of competition at several positions on the roster this season.

Let’s take a look at the seven position battles that will be happening in Bears training camp.

1. Quarterback

The most important position battle will take place at the most important position in all of sports, which isn’t exactly a comforting thought. Following Mitchell Trubisky’s struggles last season, Pace went out and brought in experienced veteran Nick Foles to not only push Trubisky but possibly replace him as the starter.

While many had Foles pegged as the clear favorite for most of this offseason, the circumstances surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic have quieted those beliefs if only because of the limited sample size that Nagy will have to choose his starter from. Trubisky has an advantage as far as familiarity with his teammates, especially as he’s been working with both returning and new skill position players during the offseason. The Bears will have to get creative during camp in a decision that could make or break this season.

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Bears activate RB Artavis Pierce from COVID-19 list, waive RB Napoleon Maxwell

The Chicago Bears finally got some good news on the COVID-19 front with rookie RB Artavis Pierce being activated from the reserve list.

The Chicago Bears finally got some good news on the COVID-19 front. After three players were placed on the list over the last week, including nose tackle John Jenkins, one of those players has been cleared for training camp.

The Bears have activated undrafted rookie running back Artavis Pierce from the COVID-19 reserve list. They waived fellow undrafted free agent running back Napoleon Maxwell to make space on the roster.

#Bears roster moves:
We have waived RB Napoleon Maxwell and have activated RB Artavis Pierce from Reserve/COVID-19.

— Chicago Bears (@BearsPR) August 2, 2020

Pierce, an undrafted rookie free agent out of Oregon State, had 366 carries for 2,127 yards and 15 touchdowns and had 74 receptions for 578 yards and two touchdowns in 44 games with the Beavers.

With the Bears searching for running back David Montgomery’s backup, Pierce will be battling Ryan Nall for that third running back spot in training camp.

Teams are not permitted to comment on a player’s medical status, which means we don’t know whether players on the list are just in quarantine or whether they’ve tested positive for COVID-19.

With Pierce being activated from the list, that leaves just Jenkins and tight end Eric Saubert on the reserve/COVID-19 list.

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Bears rookie RB Artavis Pierce placed on reserve/COVID-19 list

Bears rookies reported to training camp last week for COVID-19 testing, and RB Artavis Pierce has been placed on the injured/COVID-19 list.

The Chicago Bears have placed rookie running back Artavis Pierce on the reserve/COVID-19 list on Monday.

Heading into training camp, there is a new reserve/COVID-19 list status for players that have either tested positive for COVID-19 or has been quarantine having been exposed to someone infected with the virus. Once placed on this list, the player is not counted on the active roster, which currently brings Chicago’s active roster to 84 ahead of the Aug. 16 deadline.

Teams are not permitted to comment on a player’s medical status, which means we don’t know whether Pierce is just in quarantine or whether he’s tested positive for COVID-19.

We have placed rookie RB Artavis Pierce on the reserve/COVID-19 list.

— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) July 27, 2020

Pierce, an undrafted rookie free agent out of Oregon State, had 366 carries for 2,127 yards and 15 touchdowns and had 74 receptions for 578 yards and two touchdowns in 44 games with the Beavers.

With the Bears searching for running back David Montgomery’s backup, Pierce would be battling Ryan Nall and fellow undrafted rookie Napoleon Maxwell for that third running back spot in training camp.

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6 Bears players most hurt by no preseason games in 2020

With no preseason games to be played this season, there are several Bears that serve to be hurt the most without those valuable reps.

This offseason has been unconventional, to say the least, and it’s had its share of obstacles that have made it difficult for teams like the Chicago Bears to prepare for the 2020 season.

Not only did teams had to conduct their offseason programs entirely virtual, there will be even less chance for players to get reps in as the NFL and NFLPA have agreed to zero preseason games in 2020.

Obviously there are late-round draft picks and undrafted rookies that will miss out on valuable reps and a chance to make an NFL roster. But there are also players with starting jobs or valuable experience on the line.

Let’s take a look at six Bears players that will be hurt the most from no preseason games.

1. QB Mitchell Trubisky

This is a make-or-break year for fourth-year quarterback Mitchell Trubisky, who is coming off his worst season as a pro. Although, to be fair, he was far from the only issue on offense. But he also hasn’t lived up to his No. 2 overall billing, which is why general manager Ryan Pace traded for Nick Foles to challenge and possibly unseat Trubisky in the starting role.

While Trubisky certainly has an edge in the quarterback competition given the entirely virtual offseason, winning the starting job isn’t a free ride for the entire season. Those preseason reps could’ve been invaluable for Trubisky, who is coming off shoulder surgery on his left, non-throwing arm, as well as give him more opportunities to get better at reading defenses. The more reps, the better for Trubisky.

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What position battle are you most looking forward to in Bears training camp?

We’re just days away from the start of Bears training camp, and there are several position battles to keep an eye on.

We’re just days away from the start of Chicago Bears training camp, and there are several position battles to keep an eye on.

While there are several starting jobs up for grabs at quarterback and in the secondary, there are also valuable roster spots up for grabs at running back and wide receiver. And with the absence of preseason games, every training camp rep is going to be even more important.

Some position battles are sure to draw more attention than others, naturally. Our Bears Wire staff shares their thoughts on which position battle they’re looking forward to in training camp.

Alyssa: Quarterback

Yes, it’s the obvious answer. But with the success of this team hinging on quarterback play this season, there’s no denying that the quarterback competition between Mitchell Trubisky and Nick Foles is the most important position battle at training camp. The Bears invested a lot to bring Foles to Chicago — a fourth-round pick and $21 million — but that’s still not a guarantee that he wins the job. Matt Nagy has made it clear that this will be an open and fair competition.

While Foles has experience operating in a system similar to Nagy’s, the shortened offseason figures to benefit Trubisky, who already has experience operating this offense and working with Chicago’s skill position players. Especially given that he’s been organizing offseason workouts during the virtual offseason. But regardless of who wins the starting job, it’s certainly no guarantee that they’ll be the starter come season’s end.

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8 Chicago Bears rookies to watch at 2020 training camp

As Bears rookies begin to report to training camp, here are eight players to keep an eye on.

It’s been a bumpy ride this offseason in the NFL, but we’re getting closer to the start of the 2020 season as the Chicago Bears are preparing for the start of training camp. Bears rookies are the first to report Tuesday, and there are plenty of players that could make an impact in their rookie seasons.

With the recent news that the NFL has offered the NFLPA zero preseason games, that means less opportunities for some of these rookies, especially the undrafted free agents, to prove themselves with live-game reps.

Still, there are a lot of intriguing rookies to keep an eye on as the Bears start training camp, including some undrafted rookies competing for a roster spot.

Here are eight Bears rookies to watch at training camp.

1. TE Cole Kmet

After an embarrassing outing by tight ends last season, the Bears overhauled the position this offseason. One of the key additions is second-round rookie Cole Kmet, who was the most pro-ready tight end in the NFL Draft and could make a significant impact as a rookie in this offense.

Kmet will occupy the starting “Y” tight end role, as he’s thrived both as a blocker and pass catcher at Notre Dame, and he figures to do the same in Chicago. Despite a virtual offseason, Bears coach Matt Nagy has praised Kmet and his ability to grasp the playbook so early. It certainly helps that Kmet has gotten some reps in with quarterback Mitchell Trubisky, who has been organizing workouts this offseason in the Chicago area.

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5 reasons for pessimism as Bears prepare for training camp

Heading into training camp, there aren’t many that have confidence that the Bears will be a team that will be competitive in 2020.

Heading into training camp, there aren’t many that have confidence that the Chicago Bears will be a team that will be competitive in 2020. And that’s probably for the best, considering Chicago folded under the high expectations last season. And it’s hard to have confidence in a team coming off a 8-8 season with major questions on offense, particularly at the quarterback position.

There are plenty of reasons for concern heading into the 2020 season. Obviously there’s the quarterback situation with Mitchell Trubisky and Nick Foles, as well as concerns regarding the offensive line and depth at a few positions.

Here are five reasons for pessimism as the Bears prepare for training camp.

1. The QB situation

Anytime you have a competition at quarterback it’s a good indication that you’re not in the best place. And there’s a big question mark involving the Bears’ quarterback situation heading into 2020. Following Mitchell Trubisky’s worst year as a pro, the Bears traded for former Super Bowl MVP Nick Foles to compete with him for the starting job.

But with the shortened offseason and at minimum a two-game preseason, the quarterback competition will essentially play out over the course of a month in training camp. Not exactly a large sample size for Matt Nagy to make the best decision. That should benefit Trubisky, who’s played with most of Chicago’s skill position players for two years and has even been working with some of the newcomers with offseason workouts in the Chicago area.

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Bears 2020 training camp preview: Running backs

We’re taking a look at Bears running backs, where the biggest question is who will backup lead back David Montgomery.

Chicago Bears training camp is less than three weeks away, which means it’s time to start looking ahead at the roster the team is bringing to Lake Forest.

Next up are the running backs, which you could argue is one of the team’s biggest weaknesses at this point. Outside of lead back David Montgomery, who’s entering his second season, and the versatile Tarik Cohen, there are a lot of unknowns.

Perhaps the most important is who will serve as Montgomery’s primary backup, as Cohen isn’t your traditional three-down back. The Bears have three unproven guys that are currently vying for that third running back spot in Ryan Nall, Artavis Pierce and Napoleon Maxwell.

Could they bring in a veteran to compete? Unknown at this point. But given the importance of securing a dependable backup to Montgomery, it shouldn’t be out of the question.

Let’s take a look at the running backs heading into training camp.

David Montgomery

Montgomery is entering training camp as Chicago’s lead back, and he’s determined to take the next step following a decent rookie campaign. Heading into his second season in Matt Nagy’s offense, expectations are high for the Bears’ top draft pick a year ago.

Last season, behind a struggling offensive line and questionable play-calling, Montgomery had 889 rushing yards and six touchdowns. He also added 25 receptions for 185 yards and a score. Montgomery surpassed 1,000 all-purpose yards as a rookie. He ranked second among NFL rookie rushers in both yards (889) and touchdowns (6) last season, trailing only the Raiders’ Josh Jacobs.

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