With three weeks to go in the 2024 NFL season, the Chicago Bears are largely trying to snap their losing streak – which currently sits at eight games – and keep key players healthy enough for the start of next season. And recent addition Royce Freeman is just looking to contribute.
Amid what could be lighter workloads for some players down the stretch, the Bears added Freeman to the practice squad on December 11.
He is excited to be part of the team and what he could bring with an opportunity.
Royce Freeman Embracing New Opportunity Amid Bears’ Lost Season
Royce Freeman a ‘Bigger Back’ in Bears RB Room
“Definitely great to be a part of the group, great to be part of the running backs room, and with Coach Chad [Morton], and just learning from the guys down the stretch, back end of the season,” Freeman told Clocker Sports after practice on December 18.
“For me being a bigger back, [that is], obviously, something I’d like to have and hang my hat on as far as my running style. But, obviously balanced in the same regard. Spent a lot of my time on previous teams where I’ve been a third-down back, as far as protections and pass blocking, but also special teams. That kind of second or third-back role in the offense. So definitely willing and able to be able to be used in any way they need me for this team.”
“I know they like to run the ball, I know they like to do different things [with the running backs]. So [I am] becoming adapted to that.”
D’Andre Swift was not listed on the first injury report of Week 16, while top backup Roschon Johnson practiced in full, though he has not yet been fully cleared from concussion protocol. The Bears also have Travis Homer and Darrynton Evans in the RB room, so Freeman’s chance could be fleeting if it comes at all.
That is not a new occurrence for Freeman, who has proudly filled almost every role a running back could in his career.
Royce Freeman Still Adding to Arsenal in Year 6
The 6-foot tall, 238-pound Freeman was the No. 71 overall pick by the Denver Broncos in 2018. He has started the first eight games of that season, rushing for 309 yards and 4 touchdowns on 71 carries. But a high ankle sprain sidelined him for two weeks, returning to a backup role behind Phillip Lindsay.
Freeman has started one game since losing his role with the Broncos. He remained with the organization for two more seasons before the Broncos waived him.
He split the 2021 season between the Carolina Panthers and Houston Texans.
The 28-year-old former Oregon Duck has also spent time with the Cleveland Browns, Dallas Cowboys, Los Angeles Rams – where he learned the OG version of the offense the Bears are trying to run under Thomas Brown, a former Rams assistant – and Miami Dolphins. Asked what the biggest difference in him as a player was from his rookie year to this season, Freeman was candid in his reflection.
Royce breaks free, man
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“Man, that’s a great question,” he said. “Rookie Royce Freeman [was] very, very green, obviously, coming into the league and everything. Diving more, I guess, into honing my skills, I’d say. Definitely adding more to my repertoire. So as much as I’ve played along the years, I’ve added many things, like I said, going from starting back to a third down presence of a back and special teams; definitely in Denver. Adding those to my game definitely, I feel like, helped and kept me along in the league this far.”
Royce Freeman Reacts to Broncos’ Success in 2024
The Broncos have had a different season than the Bears despite also starting a rookie quarterback in Bo Nix.
Freeman said he takes joy in his former squad’s success.
“I’ve seen many of people, man, playing in this league – coaches and players alike,” Freeman said. “Sometimes you can’t keep track, you bouncing around so much. But when I always see a familiar face, man, it’s great. Because I know how much the game means to a lot of the guys. And to see them keep going, definitely gives me more energy, more juice.”
Denver is 9-5 with a clear path to the postseason if they win out. Similar to the Bears, they found themselves going nowhere after the 2022 season and fired Nathaniel Hackett – who just finished his first season – and hired former Lockout Bear Sean Payton to replace him.
Payton essentially cleaned house after his first season, including cutting former starting quarterback Russell Wilson and honing in on Nix.
It, like Freeman’s career, is an example of how quickly situations can change in the NFL.