Fox: Bears can ride 'hot hand' at RB in 2016

As the Chicago Bears set out to find their long-term replacement for Matt Forte, the solution early in the 2016 campaign may be somewhat of a committee approach.

Head coach John Fox told reporters this week the leader of a now-crowded offensive backfield may simply be determined based on production in a given situation.

"Who they are, what their strengths and weaknesses are," Fox said, according to Rich Campbell of the Chicago Tribune. "Then situationally, it can be ... whoever has a hot hand."

Coming off a rookie year in which he racked up 537 yards and six touchdowns on the ground, while adding another 279 yards and one score as a receiver, Jeremy Langford almost certainly holds the top spot heading into camp.

The fifth-round selection of Jordan Howard adds another talented runner to the mix, though, and both Ka'Deem Carey and Jacquizz Rodgers should push for snaps of their own.

Running backs coach Stan Drayton preached patience when it comes to replacing a player of Forte's caliber.

"Maybe not one can do all that Matt brought to the table," Drayton said. "But they all bring a strength that can probably add up to what he brought. To say you're going to replace Matt Forte - it's going to take years, right?"

Forte's lengthy run in Chicago came to an end this offseason when he landed a free-agent contract with the New York Jets.

The former second-round pick was arguably the NFL's most well-rounded back for the majority of his eight seasons in a Bears uniform, a span when he lead the league with an impressive 12,608 yards from scrimmage.