The Bears signed their second free agent running back of the offseason on Thursday, inking Carolina Panthers running back D'Onta Foreman to a one-year deal, according to Adam Schefter. The deal is worth $3 million.
Foreman's signing effectively ends any free-agent rumors for the Bears' running back position. They won't be chasing after Ezekiel Elliot, Jamaal Williams, or anyone whose name was attached to the Bears.
The 26-year-old running back joins a room headlined by Khalil Herbert and supplemented with newly signed Travis Homer and Trestan Ebner. The Bears' four-year workhorse, David Montgomery, signed with the Detroit Lions on Tuesday to the tune of a three-year $18 million deal, requiring the Bears' overhaul in running backs.
Foreman has played five seasons in the NFL. Originally drafted by the Houston Texans in the third round of the 2017 NFL draft, he spent two seasons there before completing another two years in the AFC South, this time with the Tennessee Titans. The Panthers signed him in March 2022 out of free agency.
With the Panthers, he recorded his best season to date. Foreman rushed for close to 1,000 yards (914) and five touchdowns, effectively taking over for Christian McCaffrey's absence once the Panthers dealt him to the San Francisco 49ers. He had a heckuva year, including 4.5 yards per carry, on seeing just 35 percent of offensive snaps last season.
He'll be a nice compliment to Herbert, who is the clear No. 1 option in the backfield for the Bears. Herbert is going into his third year next season after completing a solid second season alongside Montgomery. Herbert ran for 731 yards and four touchdowns last season. He topped the leaderboards with a scorching 5.7 yards per carry last season.
