Matt Eberflus says one major change is coming to the Bears offense
The Chicago Bears offense is undergoing a major change in philosophy, according to head coach Matt Eberflus. On Tuesday, Eberflus was asked about how the team would approach using running backs Khalil Herbert and David Montgomery. The first-year head coach responded by saying, “We’re going to go with the hot hand. Whoever is hot right there, […]
The Chicago Bears offense is undergoing a major change in philosophy, according to head coach Matt Eberflus.
On Tuesday, Eberflus was asked about how the team would approach using running backs Khalil Herbert and David Montgomery. The first-year head coach responded by saying, “We’re going to go with the hot hand. Whoever is hot right there, we're going to stay with him and go from there."
Herbert is Chicago’s leading rusher with 403 yards on 63 carries, which equates to 6.4 yards per carry. Montgomery has started 40 games since being drafted in 2019, but he has been the less effective rusher at this point in the season.
Montgomery averages four yards per tote, but it has been Herbert who has exploded of late. At five-foot-nine, Herbert adds a shiftier dynamic to the offense compared to the bruising style of Montgomery.
It's important to note that Herbert was made available to the media on Tuesday, which is typically a privilege only afforded to starters.
Montgomery becomes a free agent at the end of the season, which gives Bears fans another player to monitor as November 1's trade deadline draws near.
Going with the hot hand is fine, but it does not mean that Eberflus should continue to turn a blind eye to each running back’s strengths in situations that call for a certain type of skillset.
Featured image via Matt Marton – USA TODAY Sports
