3 Chicago Bears free agents that benefit from Ryan Poles hire

Damien Williams

Damien Williams signed a one-year contract with the Chicago Bears last year, but with having a connection with new general manager Ryan Poles, Williams could be a candidate to return.

After shining in the Kansas City Chiefs’ Super Bowl loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to conclude the 2019 NFL season, Williams opted out of the 2020 season.  Last season, amid uncertainty regarding the health of Tarik Cohen, the Bears made a move to sign Williams to a one-year contract and serve as a complimentary running back to David Montgomery.

Injuries and a stint on the COVID-19 restricted list limited Williams to only 12 games last season but when healthy, he proved to be an effective option for the Bears out of the backfield. Williams compiled 164 rushing yards (4.1 yards per attempt) and 2 rushing touchdown while also showing his strength as a receiving option by netting 103 receiving yards (6.4 yards per reception) and 1 touchdown.

Entering the 2022 season, the only certainties within the Bears running back picture are Montgomery and second-year player Khalil Herbert. The Bears haven’t provided any status on Cohen since he tore his ACL early on during the 2020 season and it is not certain how far along he is with his recovery.

Given the uncertainty regarding Cohen, Williams would be an ideal free agent for the Bears to bring back. Fortunately for Williams, new Bears’ general manager Ryan Poles was a part of the Chiefs’ organization when the veteran running back had his two-year run with the team. Having a connection with Poles could bode well for Williams returning to the Bears’ running back picture next season.