For Bears’ Bell, patience pays off
Kahlil Bell is moving up in the world, or at least in the world as defined by the Bears’ depth chart at running back.
With starter Matt Forte sidelined with a sprained knee since early in the Kansas City Chiefs game on Dec. 4, and with former No. 2 man Marion Barber sitting out Sunday night with a calf injury, Bell took the opportunity to establish himself as a force to be reckoned with — now and in the future.
“I’ve said it since I got into this league, I believe I’m an NFL tailback,” said Bell, who was originally signed by the Minnesota Vikings as an undrafted free agent in 2009. “I believe I’m an every-down back, and I believe I will be a starter in this league.
“It was never my goal to be on practice squad or be a third-string running back. But at the same time, good things come to those who wait. I’ve been patient my whole career here with the Bears, and now that I have an opportunity I’m just going to try to run with it and showcase my ability.”
Bell ran for 121 yards on 23 carries in the 35-21 loss to the Green Bay Packers on Sunday night, and since Forte was hurt Bell has accumulated 260 yards on 51 carries, a 5.1-yard average, slightly better than the 4.9 yards Forte was averaging at the time of his injury.
Bears coach Lovie Smith said Monday afternoon that he would be comfortable with Bell as the team’s No. 2 running back behind Forte next season.
“And not just based on that effort (Sunday night),” Smith said. “But based on what he’s done his entire time here, you would feel comfortable. In a lot of players you wonder, ‘Can they do it?’ You may be in the backup role, but you’ve never played. But when you see a player in a backup role, and he performs that way, you have to be excited about his future.
“Kahlil is a young player, and he’s been brought up through our system, too. You like to see that: a guy who was on our practice squad, worked himself up to a special teams player, third running back position, backup running back position to the starter, and then you perform that way, you have to like that.”
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