Bears general manager Ryan Poles has a a long to-do list this offseason, but adding playmakers around quarterback Justin Fields should be a top priority.
While there are some notable receivers in this draft class, including Fields’ former Ohio State teammate Jaxon Smith-Njigba, another top playmaker turning heads is Bijan Robinson, who’s the top running back prospect.
At the NFL Scouting Combine, Robinson was asked about potentially being drafted by the Bears and playing with Fields, and he couldn’t help but smile at the thought of being in the same backfield with him.
“Justin’s my guy. He’s a super solid guy and he’s a great quarterback,” Robinson said Saturday. “But if it was me and him in the backfield, that would be something special. I think that he’s a special player.”
Bijan Robinson on the possibility of joining the Bears and playing with Justin Fields: “It’d be fun” #NFLCombine pic.twitter.com/8QLDJAtjSf
— Luke Sawhook 🪚🪝 (@lukesawhook) March 4, 2023
Robinson knows Fields through the same NIL agent, and they’ve hung out in the summer and “worked on some things with each other.”
Alabama edge rusher Will Anderson Jr. said that Robinson was the toughest player he faced in college, which is high praise from arguably the draft’s best prospect.
Robinson rushed for 1,580 yards and 18 touchdowns last year with the Longhorns, and he also led the nation in broken tackles among running backs.
Robinson is the top running back prospect on the board, and he’d make a great addition to the offense. And with David Montgomery set to hit free agency, Chicago needs to find someone to pair with Khalil Herbert. But it’s hard to imagine the Bears drafting Robinson given the slew of other needs that are more pressing.
Still, the idea of a Fields-Robinson backfield is certainly exciting. Especially considering Chicago needs to add explosive players around Fields.
