With the trade of running back Thomas Jones to the New York Jets on Monday, Cedric Benson now becomes the apparent starting back for the Bears next season. Jones’ trade was sudden and surprising, but then I suppose the two backs could not live happily ever after on the same Bears team. As rivals for the starting running back job, I got the sense that the two did not like each other. The fact is, if the Bears had kept both backs, both Jones and Benson would continue to be unhappy – Benson because he wasn’t getting enough playing time, and Jones, well, I guess he just didn’t like being a Bear. For the sake of keeping the peace, one of them had to go.
I liked Jones; he was reliable and productive, especially with the game on the line. I’m not convinced that Benson can do the same under similar circumstances. Perhaps with Jones safely tucked away in New York, Benson can step up and perform the way the Bears think he can, and give third-string RB Adrian Petersen an opportunity to contribute more. If Benson doesn’t deliver, the Bears better have a decent back-up plan.
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