Bears re-sign exclusive rights free agent OL Alex Bars
The Chicago Bears have re-signed offensive lineman Alex Bars as well as four other exclusive rights free agentsMARCH 3, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
RYAN NALL
Retained by Chicago The Bears re-signed Nall on Wednesday.
Impact Nall entered the offseason as an exclusive rights free agent, so it doesn't come as much of a surprise to see him sticking with the Bears. He mostly saw action on special teams in 2020, only logging three carries across 16 regular-season games.
MARCH 3, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Sees limited work in 2020 Nall did not receive an offensive touch in the Bears' 35-16 loss to the Packers on Sunday.
Impact Nall was mostly used on special teams, though he did rush eight times for 67 yards and a touchdown on the season. After the Bears conclude their playoff run, he'll become an exclusive-rights free agent, and even if the team retains him, he'll have an uphill climb to become a consistent fantasy option.
JANUARY 4, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Receives two carries in win Nall rushed twice for zero yards in the Bears' 41-17 victory over the Jaguars on Sunday.
Impact Nall entered the game after the outcome had already been determined, and with just three carries on the season, it's unlikely he sees enough of a role in Week 17 to be a fantasy factor against the Packers.
DECEMBER 27, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
Receives no offensive looks Nall did not garner a rush attempt or a target over two offensive snaps, also fielding 17 special-teams snaps during Sunday's 33-27 win against the Vikings.
Impact The Oregon State product got involved with seven receptions for 65 yards and a touchdown Weeks 8 through 12, but he hasn't gained any traction as a rusher all season. Nall has just one carry to his name in 2020. Meanwhile, David Montgomery continues to dominate the RB workload for Chicago, gaining 162 scrimmage yards with two touchdowns on 33 touches during Week 15.
DECEMBER 23, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
Targeted once in defeat Nall caught one pass for 10 yards in the Bears' 41-25 loss to the Packers on Sunday.
Impact Nall was a non-factor in the game until entering late in the fourth quarter, when he caught his only target. Unless he gains more prominent role in the offense, his fantasy value will remain minimal.
NOVEMBER 30, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
Lightly used in loss Nall caught one pass for 18 yards in the Bears' 19-13 loss to the Vikings on Monday.
Impact Even with David Montgomery missing this game with a concussion, Nall saw just a single rushing attempt and two targets while catching a screen pass on the last drive of the game. Unless his role in the offense changes drastically, he'll have very little fantasy value.
NOVEMBER 17, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
Scores first career touchdown Nall caught four passes for 35 yards and a touchdown in the Bears' 24-17 loss to the Titans on Sunday.
Impact After David Montgomery left the game with a head injury and Chicago trailing on the scoreboard, Nall functioned as the hurry-up receiving back, and with Tennessee dropping their coverage to prevent deep passes, Nall took advantage of the open space by piling up yardage after the catch. Should Montgomery miss time, Nall could continue to see backfield work, and any time a running back is in line to see work, he has clear fantasy value and is worth a roster spot in fantasy leagues for those with depth issues.
NOVEMBER 8, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
Snags second pass of season Nall registered a two-yard catch and a 17-yard kick return during Sunday's 26-23 overtime loss to the Saints.
Impact Nall has been scarcely utilized in the Bears' offensive attack, thus far experiencing similar usage to last season when he recorded eight rushing yards on a pair of carries over eight appearances. The Oregon State product has garnered two total offensive touches in eight games played this year, with David Montgomery continuing to dominate the RB workload for Chicago as Tarik Cohen recovers from a torn ACL.
NOVEMBER 4, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
Again goes unutilized on offense Nall garnered one offensive snap, but he did not receive a carry or a target during Sunday's 19-11 loss to the Colts.
Impact Despite being listed as the No. 2 option on Chicago's RB depth chart, Nall has only been granted a total of 12 offensive snaps through Week 4 of 2020. He remains with one offensive touch on the season, a two-yard reception, as the Bears instead elected to lean on receivers Cordarrelle Patterson (three carries) and Darnell Mooney (one carry) as rushing alternatives behind starting back David Montgomery during Sunday's loss.
OCTOBER 6, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
No offensive reps Week 3 Nall did not receive a rush attempt or target during Sunday's 30-26 win against the Falcons.
Impact The 24-year-old back got involved offensively for the first time in 2020 with a two-yard catch Week 2 against the Giants, but Week 3 against Atlanta it was Tarik Cohen (knee-ACL) and Cordarrelle Patterson who were entrusted with carries behind starting RB David Montgomery. Though classified as a receiver, Patterson has actually garnered far more rush attempts (15) than targets (three) this season, but Nall may see a slight uptick in running-game usage himself so long as Chicago does not elect to sign another back.
SEPTEMBER 29, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
Could see a few carries? Nall is part of a Chicago backfield that may be without David Montgomery (groin) at the beginning of the season, Brad Biggs of The Chicago Tribune reports.
Impact Listed at 6-foot-2, 239 pounds, Nall appeared in eight games for the Bears last season, logging 137 snaps on special teams but only eight on offense. It isn't clear if the Bears view him as a serious option for carries or simply a special teams guy, but Nall is at least worth keeping an eye on for deeper fantasy formats, given the lack of impressive alternatives in Chicago. The other options for carries in the event of a Montgomery absence would be Tarik Cohen, Cordarrelle Patterson and Artavis Pierce, or possibly a late free-agent addition.
AUGUST 28, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
Bears RB Montgomery limps off practice field
Bears running back David Montgomery limped off the field at practice Wednesday after injuring his groin when making a cut on a running playAUGUST 26, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
