RUSHER IN NO RUSH
Langford’s content with waiting for work as the third-string RB
As Bears rookie running back Jeremy Langford said farewell to his interviewer, he motioned toward Matt Forte’s locker room stall, where reporters had crowded around Forte.
‘‘You’re missing the real guy,’’ Langford said.
Langford, the Bears’ fourthround pick, understands his place. His time will come, but for the time being, he’s behind Forte and top backup Jacquizz Rodgers.
Last week in Seattle, that meant not playing at all on offense, despite coordinator Adam Gase’s attempts to put him in. Langford took the inactivity in stride, even though he’d been given a whole series and scored his first touchdown a week earlier against the Arizona Cardinals.
‘‘I’m a competitor and a football player,’’ Langford said. ‘‘I do want to go out there and contribute to the team and contribute to us winning. But at the same time, I know howto play my role. Right now, it’s special teams, and whenever my number is called, I’m always prepared to go in there and play [on offense].’’
As much as the Bears are planning for the long term, Forte remains the unquestioned starter. That’s not going to change Sunday against the Oakland Raiders or anytime soon. He’s too good.
As for trading Forte, that’s just sports-talk— barstool fodder for now. When the Bears parted with Jared Allen, Jon Bostic and Brock Vereen, it was because they weren’t fits for what they’re trying to build. Allen wasn’t an outside linebacker, and Bostic and Vereen weren’t going to be starters.
That said, the Bears still want Rodgers and Langford to spell Forte. Langford, of course, is the more intriguing option because he’s the rookie who, in the preseason, flashed the breakaway speed that general manager Ryan Pace values. An 0-3 record also has many looking beyond 2015. The Bears already have two rookies, defensive lineman Eddie Goldman and safety Adrian Amos, playing plenty on defense. With receiver Kevin White injured, Langford is the only offensive rookie to get excited about.
Gase had personnel groupings with Langford and Forte ready for the Seahawks, but he held back because of what the Seahawks were showing in certain situations.
‘‘[Langford] understands the situation of who our starting running back is, who he’s in the room with, and I don’t think he has any problem,’’ Gase said. ‘‘I know when he gets on the field, he’s exciting. He’ll give us everything we ask him.’’
It didn’t help that the Bears had considerably fewer offensive plays against the Seahawks than in their first two games. There could be more chances for Langford against the Raiders, who have the No. 13 run defense (91.7 yards per game) but are last in total defense (414.7 yards).
Langford finds Gase’s offense — similar to what he played at Michigan State— a good fit.
‘‘We didn’t have too much zone-read [option], but it was pretty much an inside zone, which is pretty much the same concept,’’ Langford said. ‘‘We had a prostyle offense in college. The only thing really different is that there is a couple more pass protections that you’re responsible for.’’