Bears add depth with RB Jacquizz Rodgers By Brad Biggs Chicago Tribune March 31, 2015, 4:07 PM
The upcoming NFL draft is going to offer strong options at the running back position through at least the middle rounds but that isn’t stopping the Chicago Bears from adding some depth at the position.
The Bears announced Tuesday afternoon that former Atlanta Falcons running back Jacquizz Rodgers has signed a one-year contract, the latest veteran addition by general manager Ryan Pace.
Rodgers, a fifth-round draft pick by the Falcons in 2011, is undersized and listed at 5-foot-6, 196 pounds. But he’s been a durable performer, missing only one game in four seasons, and has five career starts, four of them coming in 2013. Pace and the team’s director of player personnel Josh Lucas know Rodgers well from their time spent in the NFC South.
Rodgers has never excelled as a running back, averaging 3.7 yards per attempt on 305 career attempts. But the Falcons have had offensive line woes and Rodgers has been a productive receiver out of the backfield, averaging 39 receptions per season as a part-time player. The Falcons used Rodgers as a kickoff returner in 2012 and 2013.
The Bears have Ka’Deem Carey and Senorise Perry behind Matt Forte on the depth chart right now. Perry was heavily involved on special teams as a rookie last season while Carey had almost no involvement in that phase. Forte, who was on the field for 92 percent of the team’s offensive snaps in 2014, is entering the final year of his contract and will earn $8.2 million in 2015.
Rodgers is the 10th player to be signed from another team since free agency opened and the seventh to sign a one-year contract. It is expected Rodgers’ deal is for the minimum salary benefit.