BOURBONNAIS — There’s nothing quiet about Tarik Cohen, and he made the flashiest entrance of any Bear when they reported for training camp Thursday.
Cohen ripped through the parking lot in a three-wheeled roadster, pulled up with his music thumping and stepped out in a Walter Payton jersey. Then he stepped to the microphone and declared it was time for the Bears to start a dynasty.
“Oh, yeah, definitely,” he said when asked if he meant to use that word. “After we win one — you know that’s not going to be our goal, just to win one; we’re trying to win multiple.”
The smallest player on the team has huge goals. It was a refreshing departure from the usual slog of one-day-at-a-time comments as players arrived at Olivet Nazarene University.
Cohen began his day with a 90-mile drive from Vernon Hills to Bourbonnais in a Polaris Slingshot, which has a starting retail price as high as $30,999, is advertised as “street legal” but recommends wearing a helmet and tops out at 130 mph.
He wouldn’t know about that last part, of course, and said he remained well within the law on the highways and ONU’s campus. Cohen whipped through a roundabout a few times before parking at check-in and getting his dorm assignment.
“I didn’t go over 25,” said Cohen, who repeatedly and emphatically — but hardly believably — mentioned that he drove the speed limit at all times. “Y’all can check it. Go back and roll the tape. It might have sounded loud, but it wasn’t over 25.”
He wouldn’t mind using the Slingshot to get over to the practice fields every day but figured the Bears would nix that idea quickly. Most likely, it’ll be parked for the next several days.
A few teammates marveled at it while Cohen talked to reporters for a few minutes, though most of them were too large to fit comfortably in it. Taylor Gabriel was brave enough to ride shotgun for a little bit. Kyle Long looked cramped when he sat in the driver’s seat, and Khalil Mack didn’t even want to try.
“That’s smooth,” Mack said. “I don’t know how he did it. I don’t know if I could fit in there.”
Chicago Bears’ linebacker Khalil Mack #52 greets running back Tarik Cohen #29 after arriving for training camp at Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais, Thursday afternoon, July 25, 2019.
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Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times
Chicago Bears’ safety Deon Bush #26 arrives for training camp at Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais, Thursday afternoon, July 25, 2019.
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Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times
Chicago Bears’ quarterback Mitchell Trubisky #10 speaks to reporters after arriving for training camp at Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais, Thursday afternoon, July 25, 2019.
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Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times
Chicago Bears’ running back Tarik Cohen drives a Polaris Slingshot as he arrives for training camp at Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais, Thursday afternoon, July 25, 2019.
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Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times
Chicago Bears’ offensive lineman Cody Whitehair #65 (left) chats with tight end Bradley Sowell #85 after arriving for training camp at Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais, Thursday afternoon, July 25, 2019.
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Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times
Chicago Bears’ running back Tarik Cohen arrives for training camp at Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais, Thursday afternoon, July 25, 2019.
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Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times
Chicago Bears’ running back Tarik Cohen drives a Polaris Slingshot as he arrives for training camp at Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais, Thursday afternoon, July 25, 2019.
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Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times
Chicago Bears’ wide receiver Allen Robinson #12 arrives for training camp at Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais, Thursday afternoon, July 25, 2019.
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Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times
Chicago Bears’ offensive lineman Kyle Long #75 checks out Tarik Cohen’s Polaris Slingshot after arriving for training camp at Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais, Thursday afternoon, July 25, 2019.
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Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times
Chicago Bears’ linebacker Khalil Mack #52 greets running back Tarik Cohen #29 after arriving for training camp at Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais, Thursday afternoon, July 25, 2019.
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Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times
Chicago Bears’ linebacker Khalil Mack #52 speaks to reporters after arriving for training camp at Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais, Thursday afternoon, July 25, 2019.
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Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times
Chicago Bears’ running back Tarik Cohen #29 takes wide receiver Taylor Gabriel #18 for a ride in his Polaris Slingshot after arriving for training camp at Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais, Thursday afternoon, July 25, 2019.
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Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times
Chicago Bears’ running back Tarik Cohen #29 takes wide receiver Taylor Gabriel #18 for a ride in his Polaris Slingshot after arriving for training camp at Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais, Thursday afternoon, July 25, 2019.
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Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times
Chicago Bears’ offensive lineman Charles Leno Jr. #72 arrives for training camp at Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais, Thursday afternoon, July 25, 2019.
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Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times
Chicago Bears’ running back Tarik Cohen #29 drives a Polaris Slingshot as he arrives for training camp at Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais, Thursday afternoon, July 25, 2019.
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Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times
Chicago Bears’ linebacker Khalil Mack #52 speaks to reporters after arriving for training camp at Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais, Thursday afternoon, July 25, 2019.
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Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times
Chicago Bears’ linebacker Joel Iyiegbuniwe #45 arrives for training camp at Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais, Thursday afternoon, July 25, 2019.
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Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times
Chicago Bears’ linebacker Leonard Floyd #94 arrives for training camp at Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais, Thursday afternoon, July 25, 2019.
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Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times
Chicago Bears’ linebacker Leonard Floyd #94 arrives for training camp at Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais, Thursday afternoon, July 25, 2019.
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Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times
Chicago Bears’ offensive lineman Kyle Long #75 arrives for training camp at Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais, Thursday afternoon, July 25, 2019.
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Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times
Chicago Bears’ tight end Adam Shaheen #87 arrives for training camp at Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais, Thursday afternoon, July 25, 2019.
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Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times
Chicago Bears’ wide receiver Marvin Hall #13 arrives for training camp at Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais, Thursday afternoon, July 25, 2019.
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Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times
Chicago Bears’ running back Tarik Cohen drives a Polaris Slingshot as he arrives for training camp at Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais, Thursday afternoon, July 25, 2019.
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Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times
Chicago Bears’ quarterback Mitchell Trubisky #10 speaks to reporters after arriving for training camp at Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais, Thursday afternoon, July 25, 2019.
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Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times
Chicago Bears’ offensive tackle Rashaad Coward #69 arrives for training camp at Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais, Thursday afternoon, July 25, 2019.
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Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times
Chicago Bears’ linebacker Leonard Floyd #94 arrives for training camp at Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais, Thursday afternoon, July 25, 2019.
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Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times
Chicago Bears’ running back Mike Davis #25 arrives for training camp at Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais, Thursday afternoon, July 25, 2019.
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Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times
Chicago Bears’ quarterback Mitchell Trubisky #10 speaks to reporters after arriving for training camp at Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais, Thursday afternoon, July 25, 2019.
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Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times
Chicago Bears’ linebacker Roquan Smith #58 arrives for training camp at Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais, Thursday afternoon, July 25, 2019.
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Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times
Chicago Bears’ wide receiver Allen Robinson #12 speaks to reporters after arriving for training camp at Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais, Thursday afternoon, July 25, 2019.
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Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times
Chicago Bears’ running back Tarik Cohen #29 drives a Polaris Slingshot as he arrives for training camp at Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais, Thursday afternoon, July 25, 2019.
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Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times
Chicago Bears’ running back Tarik Cohen #29 arrives for training camp at Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais, Thursday afternoon, July 25, 2019.
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Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times
Chicago Bears’ quarterback Mitchell Trubisky #10 speaks to reporters after arriving for training camp at Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais, Thursday afternoon, July 25, 2019.
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Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times
Chicago Bears’ wide receiver Taylor Gabriel #18 arrives for training camp at Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais, Thursday afternoon, July 25, 2019.
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Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times
Chicago Bears’ defensive end Jonathan Bullard #90 arrives for training camp at Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais, Thursday afternoon, July 25, 2019.
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Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times
Chicago Bears’ wide receiver Allen Robinson #12 speaks to reporters after arriving for training camp at Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais, Thursday afternoon, July 25, 2019.
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Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times
Chicago Bears’ running back Tarik Cohen arrives for training camp at Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais, Thursday afternoon, July 25, 2019.
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Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times
Chicago Bears’ defensive end Akiem Hicks #96 speaks to reporters after arriving for training camp at Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais, Thursday afternoon, July 25, 2019.
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Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times
Chicago Bears’ wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson #84 (left) greets wide receiver Allen Robinson #12 after arriving for training camp at Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais, Thursday afternoon, July 25, 2019.
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Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times
Chicago Bears’ wide receiver Tanner Gentry #19 arrives for training camp at Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais, Thursday afternoon, July 25, 2019.
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Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times
Chicago Bears’ offensive lineman Kyle Long #75 arrives for training camp at Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais, Thursday afternoon, July 25, 2019.
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Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times
Chicago Bears’ cornerback Kevin Toliver II #22 arrives for training camp at Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais, Thursday afternoon, July 25, 2019.
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Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times
Chicago Bears’ defensive tackle Nick Williams #97 arrives for training camp at Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais, Thursday afternoon, July 25, 2019.
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Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times
Chicago Bears’ defensive end Akiem Hicks #96 speaks to reporters after arriving for training camp at Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais, Thursday afternoon, July 25, 2019.
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Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times
Cohen likes the vehicle because it’s cool, sure, but he also identifies with it. It’s compact and fast, and when asked how it drives, he replied, “Agile.”
Sound familiar? The Bears saw that torque and handling from Cohen last season as he went for 1,169 combined yards and eight touchdowns as a runner and receiver, as well as earning All-Pro honors as a punt returner.
He’s the most exciting skill player this team has had since Devin Hester and should get even better as he and Mitch Trubisky head into their third season together. The Bears drafted David Montgomery and signed Mike Davis as more powerful running backs and can keep using Cohen in a multifaceted role.
His progress will be one of the keys to the Bears bringing their offense up to the level of their defense, which is necessary if they’re going to be Super Bowl contenders.
They were 21st in yardage and ninth in scoring last season. That wasn’t great, but it wasn’t terrible, either, considering much of the personnel had been overhauled and it was coach Matt Nagy’s first season. There’s far more familiarity this summer — and far fewer excuses.
“We hold ourselves to a higher standard now,” Cohen said. “The older guys who’ve been here and watched us go from last place to winning the division, we know what it takes to have that success and to have that work pay off. We need to be more consistent. The defense bailed us out last year a lot, and we want to do our job more often this year.”
