(670 The Score) With the Bears' running back position in question, they now have Leonard Fournette to consider.
The No. 4 overall pick in 2017, the 25-year-old Fournette was waived by the Jaguars on Monday morning. That means it's time for the Bears to conduct a thorough evaluation about whether he could help upgrade their backfield and offense.
Fournette rushed for 1,152 yards and averaged 4.3 yards per carry while also catching 76 passes in 2019. His release came after run-ins with the Jaguars' coaching staff. That motivated the team to trade him, but the Jaguars couldn't find a anyone willing to give up a draft pick.
Fournette is now available on waivers and would be due $4.1 million if claimed. It's something the Bears must consider given their circumstances.
Bears starting running back David Montgomery is nursing a groin injury, and his status is uncertain for the regular-season opener on Sept. 13. Even if healthy, Montgomery hasn't earned the benefit of the doubt as an every-down rusher.
After Montgomery, the Bears have a backup in Tarik Cohen who's often used in a gadget role, a converted wide receiver in Cordarrelle Patterson and three inexperienced reserves in Ryan Nall, Artavis Pierce and Napoleon Maxwell, whom they signed Monday.
The Bears need to be honest with what they have at running back and add at the position -- whether that's Fournette, Devonta Freeman, Spencer Ware or somebody else.
Fournette has one season remaining on his rookie contract. His motivation should be there now more than ever before. It's a chance worth taking for the Bears, who could part ways just like the Jaguars if Fournette didn't pan out. It would be a fairly low-risk pickup with a potential reward that could pay off immediately.
Fournette would seem to be an upgrade over Montgomery. At the least, he's an upgrade over the Bears' depth and could create a tandem for Chicago at running back with Montgomery.
As the Bears move into a season in which they simply have to be better, Fournette could boost the running game and also offer a a new weapon for a team with uncertainty at quarterback, where Mitchell Trubisky and Nick Foles are continuing their competition. If coach Matt Nagy, general manager Ryan Pace and the Bears don't see Fournette as a worthwhile addition, they still must kick the tires on another veteran upgrade at running back.
The Bears need to win this season. To do so, it would help to be realistic with what they have -- and still need.
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago’s sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.