- Cedric Benson
- Running Back
- Midland, Texas
- 12/28/1982 (27)
- Texas
- 2005
- 1
- 4
- Chicago Bears
Despite promising not to holdout upon being drafted, Benson was engaged in an extended contract holdout with the Chicago Bears, but they eventually agreed to a five-year deal, ending the 36-day holdout. Benson is currently first on Chicago's depth chart at running back, due to the recent trade of Thomas Jones.
During his best game in 2005, he rushed for 80 yards on 16 carries against the New Orleans Saints. However, shortly afterwards, in what appeared to be a horrific injury, he suffered a medial collateral ligament sprain and missed most of the remaining season.
During a 2006 FOX News Chicago Sports special on the Chicago Bears summer camp, it was revealed that Benson would be on top of Thomas Jones on the depth chart. Days after the announcement, FOX Chicago reported that Benson has injured his shoulder after a collision with Brian Urlacher during a routine scrimmage. Although the injury was not serious, it placed Benson on the Bears' injury list for a majority of the NFL's preseason. Jones was declared the unconditional starter before the season began.
Although Benson fully recovered from his injury, Lovie Smith selected Jones as the Bears' starter. Benson scored his first two touchdowns during week five of the 2006 NFL season, against the Buffalo Bills. In a game against the New England Patriots during week twelve of the 2006 Chicago Bears season, Benson collided with linebacker Junior Seau. The collision caused Seau to fall down and fracture his forearm.
Days later, Benson challenged Lovie Smith’s coaching by remarking, “the NFL is not like high school or college, but the best players don't always get on the field.” [1] The following week, Benson out rushed Jones and scored a vital third quarter touchdown. He began to receive more carries as the weeks progressed, and managed to rush for over 100 yards against the Green Bay Packers.
However, during the playoffs, Benson became the Bears' secondary running back again. In the divisional playoffs against the Seattle Seahawks, Benson only received twelve carries for which he rushed 45 yards. In the 2006 NFC Championship Game against the New Orleans Saints, Benson scored a fourth quarter touchdown and totaled 60 yards. Though he was given a majority of the team's carries, Jones amassed two touchdowns and 123 rushing yards. In Super Bowl XLI in Miami, Benson was injured in the first half and finished the game with -1 yards rushing and a fumble in the Bears' 29-17 loss to Indianapolis.