The Bears and running back Tarik Cohen agreed to a three-year, $17.3 million contract extension Saturday that will keep the do-it-all offensive weapon in Chicago through 2023.
Cohen’s expiring contract hasn’t been much of a talking point this season, largely because of wide receiver Allen Robinson’s high-profile negotiations (or lack thereof). But it shouldn’t come as a surprise that Cohen’s new deal was a priority for Bears GM Ryan Pace. He’s a valuable commodity on offense, even if his production hasn’t been what you’d expect from a player rewarded with a contract that will pay him an average yearly salary of $5.75 million.
Cohen totaled just 213 rushing yards (3.3 yards per carry) and 456 yards receiving in 2019.
Still, the Bears have long valued Cohen’s ability to contribute in more ways than the traditional three-down running back.
“Tarik is a dynamic player in so many areas — in the run game, in the pass game, in the return game,” Bears general manager Ryan Pace said during the offseason.
Cohen’s new annual average salary ranks just behind Cleveland’s Kareem Hunt and just ahead of Houston’s Duke Johnson. Cohen isn’t the kind of impact player Hunt has proven to be, but Johnson? It’s fair to say that’s right where Cohen’s second contract belongs.
“There were some things we saw last year that we thought he could do better,” Bears coach Matt Nagy said of Cohen during training camp. “He’s hit that full steam ahead and there’s been some changes, whether it’s his angle in the run game or whether it’s a specific route we’re trying to teach him. So I’m really happy for the way he’s handled that.”
Now that Cohen is locked up and will be a Bear for four more years, the next logical question is: What does this all mean for David Montgomery?
Montgomery is in the second year of his four-year rookie contract that’s set to expire in 2022 (when there will be one year remaining on Cohen’s new deal). If Montgomery becomes the feature back the Bears believe he can be, they’ll be forced to pay him consistent with the top running back contracts in the NFL (which continue to get more expensive by the week). Cohen’s contract will complicate that process; it’s unlikely the Bears will have two pricey running backs on the roster at the same time.
It’s especially true if Pace is still the general manager when Montgomery’s next contract is on the docket. His track record in Chicago doesn’t suggest he’s willing to open the Bears’ checkbook to pay a running back, and he’s had success finding quality players on the discount rack in the NFL Draft.
Jordan Howard is an example of Pace’s ability to land a starter on Day 3 of the draft. Cohen was a fourth-round pick, too. And it’s likely the Bears decided to pay Cohen instead of a player like Howard because of how diverse Cohen’s skill set is.
If all you do as a running back is bang the ball between the tackles, Pace will be able to replace you.
Montgomery’s role in the Bears’ offense won’t change just because Cohen is getting paid like a starting running back. He’ll still be the workhorse and early-down back, but Chicago’s decision to pay Cohen is a clear message that they’re confident in his ability to be their feature back even if he doesn’t possess traditional feature-back traits (5’6, 191 pounds).
Montgomery will be a productive player for the Bears in 2020 and beyond but he’ll have to contribute as a receiver, too, or all bets are off for a second contract in a Ryan Pace-run front office.