Bears Add Foreman, Leaving Fields Without Pass-Catching Help

The Bears have made their first move replacing David Montgomery, and it makes you wonder if they are going to target a pass-catching back in the draft. D’Onta Foreman, signed to a one-year contract for $3 million, does not project as much of an asset to aid in Justin Fields’ development, either as a receiver or a pass blocker.

Khalil Herbert enters his third NFL season as the Bears’ new RB1. He leads a collection of backs that for now includes Foreman, Travis Homer, Tristan Ebner and Darrynton Evans. Based on recent performance and grades by Pro Football Focus, there isn’t a passing-down back in the group.

In terms of salary cap space and inventory of draft picks, the Bears are positioned to pursue the top three-down back in the league, Austin Ekeler. He is seeking a new deal from the San Diego Chargers, who have given him permission to talk to teams with an interest in trading for him. The one-year commitment to Foreman does not preclude a major move but provides an immediate replacement for Montgomery.

Foreman, a third-round pick of Houston in the 2017 draft, ran for 2,028 yards for the University of Texas in ’16 but has never had double-digit receptions, either in the NFL or college. Montgomery averaged 39 catches in his four seasons in Chicago. He agreed to a three-year deal with Detroit earlier this week.

PFF graded Foreman 30th among 60 qualifying running backs last season but only 45th as a receiver. He was rated 60th as a pass-blocker, suggesting he’ll be little help for Fields, who was sacked an NFL-high 55 times last season.

The Bears also made a few depth signings, adding quarterback P.J. Walker, tight end Robert Tonyan and defensive tackle Andrew Billings. Walker, who replaces Trever Siemian as Fields’ backup, signed a one-year deal for $5 million.

Tonyan figures to take some workload off Cole Kmet, who was Fields’ favorite target last season He got 50 passes for 544 yards and seven touchdowns. Tonyan caught 53 passes for 470 yards and two touchdowns with the Packers last season.

The 28-year-old Billings goes to his fourth team in the last four seasons. He projects as a backup to Justin Jones and newcomer DeMarcus Walker in a line that is expected to get a major upgrade in the draft. The Bears hold the ninth overall pick after trading No. 1 to Carolina, and are expected to use it on a lineman.