The Nick Foles Effect

A team’s presence at quarterback can directly impact the life of a running back, and the Chicago Bears might be introducing a new face under center.

Without a consistent threat in the passing game, a defense can dedicate more resources and more energy to slowing down a team’s rushing attack– making life harder for the entire team in the process. And while labeling Bears’ quarterback Mitchell Trubisky as a bust just three seasons into his professional career might be jumping the gun, he was, if nothing else, a liability for Chicago in the passing game.

With Head Coach Matt Nagy tailoring the Bears’ offense to cater to Trubisky’s limited skillset, and still yielding some depressing results (like fewer passing touchdowns than eight games of Matt Stafford, a lower completion percentage than the forever journeyman Case Keenum, and the lowest yards per attempt number in the league), Chicago’s offense was doomed for failure, and David Montgomery along with it.

But with the Bears bringing Nick Foles into the quarterback room for 2020, one of two things will happen. Either Trubisky elevates his game enough to hang onto the starting job in Chicago, elevating the Bears offense along with it. Or, Mitch Trubisky will continue to be Mitch Trubisky, and Foles will prove to be the better quarterback, the one who can elevate the offense. Either way, the addition of Nick Foles will only end well for Chicago.

And with the offense playing better and the passing game clicking, David Montgomery will be set up for success. He’ll have less pressure to carry the team, less attention from opposing defenses, and more room to increase his efficiency as he grows as a player in his second season.