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Forte vs Langford: Who will have the better 2016 season?

By Frank Sumrall

Nov 26, 2015; Green Bay, WI, USA; Chicago Bears running back Jeremy Langford (33) rushes with the football during the second quarter of a NFL game against the Green Bay Packers on Thanksgiving at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 26, 2015; Green Bay, WI, USA; Chicago Bears running back Jeremy Langford (33) rushes with the football during the second quarter of a NFL game against the Green Bay Packers on Thanksgiving at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports /
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Matt Forte forges a new home in New York after eight seasons at Soldier Field while Jeremy Langford takes over the bulk of the Chicago Bears rushing attack.

But the question remains; who will have the better season?

The battle between the two running backs starts with age. Langford is 24 years old and could be a breath of fresh air to the dull offense Bears fans have been accustomed to. Only once have the Chicago Bears finished in the top half of the league offensively in the Jay Cutler era, the 2013 season with Alshon Jeffrey, Brandon Marshall, and Forte all making the Pro Bowl.

Langford also plays very similarly to Forte  which helps head coach John Fox implement him in the offense. When Forte went down with an injury, Langford stepped up to the plate and put on an admirable show.

His playmaking abilities as a receiver in the flat or on routes gave him the chance for a starting job. His 83-yard touchdown showcases the potential he has in the league. Just like Forte, he can move the chains on the ground or in the air and if his running game improves; he will be a force to reckoned with.

There remains his flaw: running the ball. He averaged just 3.6 yards per carry last season and when he filled in for the injured Forte, he put up only 170 rushing yards on 51 attempts, good for a measly 3.3 yards per carry. A repeat performance of these numbers could possibly cost him his opportunity of being a three-down starter. Luckily this easily can improve with a full offseason with first team reps.

Chicago’s offense now features Langford with Alshon Jeffrey and Kevin White under new offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains. With a free-flowing offense that revolves around running backs, Langford is in a good spot to spread his wings and make Chicago GM Ryan Pace not second guess his move. If Jay Cutler can limit turnovers and keep moving the ball, Langford is in for a big year.

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Forte meanwhile, looks to channel Adrian Peterson’s fantastic performance from a season ago. AP put up his third most rushing yards in a season despite turning 30 and coming off of a season-long suspension. With the New York offense in a frenzy, Forte will be heavily relied on.

Running backs tend to fall off dramatically after hitting age 30, and Forte will be hard tested to fight that theory. Missing just eight games in his last eight years will certainly wear on him. But if Geno Smith cannot balance the offense, the entirety of the Jet’s offense will rely on Forte despite the talented receivers.

If Geno Smith remains as the starting quarterback, Forte will receive plenty of reps to stave off father time. But with major holes on the offensive line and a quarterback who may not be able to keep the defense guessing, Matt Forte could be in over his head in order to carry this team.

Out with the old and in with the new. Can the old veteran silence the Bears brass and get the last laugh or will Langford be a successful piece in a new and improved offense?

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