Chicago Bears 20 Most Important Players: #11 D’Onta Foreman

We continue our series profiling the 20 most important Chicago Bears in 2023 players by looking at running back D’Onta Foreman.

With the Chicago Bears training camp about three weeks away, we continue profiling the 20 most important players in 2023. You can read up on the other players here.

Up next, at #11, is running back D’Onta Foreman. Foreman was the Houston Texans’ third-round pick in the 2017 draft. He played two seasons in Houston before an injury forced him out. Then he played for two seasons with the Tennessee Titans. He got a chance with Derrick Henry being out for the season. However, the injury bug raised its ugly head again.

Then, last season, Foreman played for the Carolina Panthers. He finally was injury-free, playing all 17 games. With the trade of Christian McCaffrey, Foreman became the starter.

Foreman thrived last season. He rushed for 914 yards and 5 touchdowns. He got to show what he could do when he has the opportunity.

Foreman is a powerful runner who can be an effective option in short-yardage situations. He will be an important piece for the Chicago Bears offense.

The Bears have a crowded running back room. In addition to Foreman, the Bears also have Khalil Herbert and Roschon Johnson. Foreman is not concerned with that, however.

With all the difficulties he’s already been through, Foreman does not mind a battle for snaps. Even if he does not become the starter, he can still be a big part of the offense.

Foreman can wear down a defense with his running. He is like a battering ram, continually pounding the defense. Late in games, the defense won’t be able to hit back the way it did early on.

Foreman’s running style helps the other two running backs. Herbert is quick to hit the hole and can run away from the defense. With the defense tired, he will be able to run circles around the defense.

Johnson is a combination of the other two. He is shifty and had great balance, similar to David Montgomery. He can juke defenders and get away from them.

That isn’t all, however. He can also dish out hits as much as he receives. Getting pounded by Foreman and Johnson will have a very tired defense late in games. We’ve seen how that works against the Bears. It would be nice now to see the Bears do it to other teams.

Don’t rule out having Foreman play some fullback as well. He is an inch taller and three pounds heavier than Kari Blasingame, the current fullback. The Bears could line him up there and the defense has to decide quickly if the ball is going to him or if he is blocking. Anything that makes the defenders even a slight step slower helps the offense win.

Having Foreman in the backfield, either as a halfback or fullback, also helps quarterback Justin Fields. NFL NextGen Stats had him facing one of the most eight-man fronts in the past two seasons.

Opposing defenses have to account for him or he will blast through and make a big play. As a result, Fields will have open receivers to target. He has more talented wide receivers so he should be able to hit them with plenty of room available.

Despite the crowded running back room, Foreman came to the Chicago Bears to be the RB1. The coaches might have a different idea but either way, he will be a valuable asset for the offense in 2023.