Kevin Jones signs in Chicago: Whither Matt Forte?
Kevin Jones signed a one-year deal with the Chicago Bears today. The talented but oft-injured running back lands in one of the few places where he could conceivably earn a large role presuming he’s healthy enough. The Bears parted ways with Cedric Benson earlier this summer and Jones is obviously betting on the opportunity for playing time.
Jones’ talent isn’t in question…
At 5′11″, 221 pounds, Jones is a bruising runner with a straight-ahead style befitting of the smash mouth history of Soldier Field. Although Jones has never been a fantasy star, he has shown considerable promise when healthy:
- As a rookie, Jones ran for 1,133 yards and caught another 28 passes for 180 yards
- In 2006, Jones was asked to play a role as a receiver and answered the call with 61 receptions for 520 yards
- Last year, despite running injured and behind a bad Lions offensive line, he had 8 rushing TDs in just 153 carries
What Jones hasn’t done is put together a full season where all of his myriad talents are simultaneously on display.
Jones’ health, on the other hand, IS in question…
- Bruised shoulder
- Hyperextended elbow
- Concussion
- Hip pointer
- Thigh contusion
…those were just some of the reasons Kevin Jones appeared on the injury report early in his career. And those were nothing compared to his two latest maladies:
- Lisfranc – Jones injured his foot and had to undergo surgery to repair his Lisfranc injury. He surprised many by rehabbing fast enough to get back on the field early in 2007
- Torn ACL — But that enthusiasm didn’t last for the entire season as Jones tore his ACL late in the 2007 season, putting him on IR
So if he’s got a torn ACL, how did he work out for teams and why did Chicago sign him?
Jones is proving to be as much a fast healer as he is easily hurt. He, by all accounts, is ahead of the normal schedule for rehabbing a torn ACL and was able to showcase some of his talents (as well as show structural integrity of the knee) at a private workout several weeks ago.
Chicago is taking no risk here. They have need of RB depth, and are committing nothing more than a few hundred thousand dollars this year. Even if Jones isn’t healthy enough to suit up this season, it’s a financial bet worth making. Because if he IS 100% healthy, they’ve landed arguably the best veteran free agent RB on the market.
What does this mean for Matt Forte?
I wouldn’t read much into the Jones signing if you’re a fan of Matt Forte. Jones is getting the veteran minimum to try an earn a place on the team. That doesn’t obviate the need for a young, workhorse back and the only one of the roster that fits that bill is rookie Matt Forte. On the margin, the Bears may give Forte a few less carries each game if Jones is healthy and sticks on the roster, but don’t think this signing means Forte can’t or won’t win the lead job.
Is there now a greater chance of a true RB-by-Committee approach in Chicago? Unfortunately yes. But at Forte’s current ADP, you don’t have to pay up to get him.
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