LOOK: Bears running backs spend time with team legend Matt Forte

The Chicago Bears will begin the 2023 NFL season with an unheralded group of running backs. Led by Khalil Herbert, the depth chart is ripe for a running back by committee, with D’Onta Foreman and rookie Roschon Johnson more than capable of shouldering the load.

Despite their talent, none of the Bears’ running backs have much experience as a full-time NFL starter. Herbert and Foreman stepped into the role in 2022 after David Montgomery was injured and Christian McCaffrey was traded. But they were short-term fixes, not season-long solutions.

Johnson, meanwhile, has yet to take a regular-season NFL snap.

Inexperience isn’t necessarily a bad thing. But no matter what walk of life you’re in, it’s great to lean on the wisdom of someone who’s come before you and has performed at a high level. The Bears’ running backs had a chance to do that this week when Matt Forte visited practice and offered some advice.

Learning from a legend pic.twitter.com/8fqVji4BdK

— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) August 22, 2023

Forte started 120 games during his eight seasons in Chicago. He ran for more than 8,602 yards and 45 touchdowns during that time and had another 4,116 receiving yards and 19 touchdown catches.

Forte may not rank as high as Walter Payton and Gale Sayers on the all-time Chicago Bears running back list, but he’s certainly in possession of third place. When he speaks, Bears running backs should listen.

Chicago’s running back pecking order will become clearer after Chicago’s final preseason game, which kicks off on August 26 against the Buffalo Bills.