Bears Release Cedric Benson

Old news at this point, if you want the story, you can find it in a multitude of places. That's not why I'm posting this.

Just because the Bears released Benson does not mean they're going to sign another running back.
Just because the Bears released Benson does not mean they're going to sign another running back.
Just because the Bears released Benson does not mean they're going to sign another running back.
Just because the Bears released Benson does not mean they're going to sign another running back.

Understand something. The Bears, and the vast majority of the rest of the teams in the NFL only carry THREE running backs. It was HIGHLY likely that the Bears were going to cut Benson anyway, the DUI just accelerated the process. There are currently three on the roster in Forte, Peterson, and Wolfe.

In order for the Bears to carry 4, the Bears need to carry one less backup at another position. It is possible that position could be wide receiver. Last year, the Bears kept six on the roster. Berrian, Muhammad, Bradley, Davis, Hester, Hass. Muhammad was cut, and replaced with Booker, Berrian was not resigned. The Bears promoted Mark Bradley into Berrian's role, and signed Brandon Lloyd to replace Bradley (ostensibly in the role of fast guy with so-so route skills who always gets hurt.) The Bears resigned Davis, Hester's not going anywhere. The Bears drafted Earl Bennett, which means that Hass will be cut.

The only other guy that might get cut among that group would be Lloyd, but it's unlikely as he's one of Turner's guys, this STILL doesn't account for Marcus Monk, who'd probably get plucked off the practice squad. It also doesn't account for the possibility of the Bears carrying an additional offensive linemen to help compensate for the youth of the line.


Just because the Bears released Benson does not mean they're going to sign another running back.

So please don't piss and moan if they don't go out and sign Shaun Alexander, who'd almost certainly be bad.