Should the Bears Pursue a Veteran Running Back?
Entering the 2025 NFL offseason, the Bears needed a three-down running back. D’Andre Swift is an excellent player, but lacks the vision and strength to be a premier back.
Many fans predicted the Bears would land one of the top running backs in the draft. But they failed to acquire one until the seventh round.
Now, there are rumors that the Bears are interested in signing a veteran running back, specifically Nick Chubb.
Is making a play for an experienced running back worth it?
What’s Wrong With D’Andre Swift?
This headline might come off as being derogatory, but I promise that’s not my intention. I simply want to dive into D’Andre Swift as a player and why I don’t believe he’s capable of being a three-down NFL running back.
D’Andre Swift is quite a unique player. He possesses some rare skill traits that are uncoachable. When Swift has the ball in his hands in open space, there aren’t many players better. His ability to make defenders miss and accelerate to the second level of the defense is uncanny. It’s easy to create these opportunities for him in the passing game, where he is a true receiving threat. Last year, we saw him turn a few screen passes into big plays. The Bears can also toss him the ball on a run play with a pulling offensive line to maximize his strengths. There was a specific play against the Packers last season where Swift caught a toss and took it down the left sideline, thanks to a pancake block from Braxton Jones. That’s where his strength lies: in both the receiving game and on outside run plays.
Unfortunately, NFL running backs have to do a lot more than that. Swift’s weakness lies in running between the tackles on a down-to-down basis. And, he struggles in short-yardage situations where he’s asked to be physical. This was partially why the Bears tried to use center Doug Kramer as their fullback. Swift couldn’t deliver in critical situations, so the Bears were forced to try something else.
Although he’s not an elite three-down running back, Swift will be heavily featured in the Bears’ offense.
Roschon Johnson Is Still Here
The Bears drafted Roschon Johnson in the 4th round in 2023. The Texas running back is currently RB2 in Chicago. He is a physical runner who was reliable in short-yardage situations last season. Johnson is also capable in pass protection and can pose as an occasional receiving threat. But his lack of athleticism prevents him from being the featured back.
I view Roschon Johnson as a solid running back who works hard and will do whatever the Bears ask of him. He’s a great depth piece on the roster and would be the perfect RB3 for the Bears.
The Addition of Kyle Monangai
In the 2025 NFL Draft, the Bears selected Rutgers running back Kyle Monangai in the seventh round. You’re probably thinking: What kind of an impact could a seventh-round running back even make? Well, just recently, the Kansas City Chiefs selected Rutgers running back Isaiah Pacheco in the seventh round. In his rookie season, Pacheco rushed for 830 yards and 5 touchdowns, while only starting eleven games. I’m here to tell you that Monangai can do the same thing and will likely play a pivotal role in Ben Johnson’s offense.
Monangai is a powerful back who runs with physicality and toughness. He’s a “human pinball” because of the way he bounces off defenders and seeks contact. In pass protection, Monangai isn’t afraid to put his body on the line to protect his quarterback. He reminds me a lot of former Bears running back David Montgomery.
I think Ben Johnson feels the same way and will look to feature Monangai next season. The combination of him and D’Andre Swift wouldn’t quite be the duo of Gibbs and Montgomery, but it would get the job done. When you combine the speed and home-run threat of Swift with the physicality and toughness that Monangai brings, the Bears could have a dangerous backfield.
Travis Homer’s Special Team’s Ability
I will be completely honest; I’m not a big Travis Homer fan. But the Bears seem to like him.
Homer was used more often than I anticipated last season, and that was mainly due to his value on special teams. He is a great special-teams player and a serviceable backup running back.
In the offseason, the Bears re-signed Homer to a one-year deal worth $2 million. So it’s safe to say he’ll be on the roster next season.
Don’t Forget About Hard Knock’s Legend, Ian Wheeler
During last year’s electric offseason, the Bears were finally featured on HBO’s TV show, Hard Knocks. UDFA running back Ian Wheeler took Bears Nation by storm. The young RB from Howard University was a fan favorite on Hard Knocks. He was featured often, and fans got a glimpse of who Ian Wheeler was. He came off as a very intelligent and down-to-earth person for whom everyone wants to root.
The cameras captured Wheeler’s impressive pre-season performance against the Buffalo Bills, where he rushed five times for 43 yards and two touchdowns. Fans began pulling for Wheeler to make the roster. Then he suffered a season-ending knee injury, which placed him on the IR.
Wheeler is a young running back who Bears fans love. He has shown flashes of being an NFL starter, and I believe he should make the Bears roster. Adding another running back would prevent him from doing so.
Possible Additions
As soon as the draft concluded, multiple rumors began to spread surrounding the Bears’ running back situation.
Several reports have suggested that the Bears want a veteran player to be their lead back.
- Nick Chubb – Nick Chubb is a highly regarded running back who has been in the league for seven years. He’s produced four 1,000-yard rushing seasons and been selected to four Pro Bowls. As a 29-year-old running back with an extensive injury history, Chubb is nearing the end of his career. He would give the Bears an experienced and powerful running back, but I don’t think he’s the RB1 fans are hoping for.
- J.K. Dobbins – Dobbins is another experienced player who’s played four seasons in the NFL. He’s suffered multiple injuries during his short career and has yet to play a full season. While Dobbins is younger at 26 years old, I fear his injuries make him a liability.
- Kenneth Walker – Kenneth Walker is the most intriguing option at running back. The 25-year-old Seahawks running back is explosive. He’s a home run threat and is an exciting player to watch. Since Walker isn’t a free agent, the Bears would have to trade for him. Adding Walker is a move I can get behind, but his skillset doesn’t fit what the Bears need right now.
Verdict: It’s Not Worth It
PHOTO: Ron Chenoy/Imagn Images
Although many fans have advocated for the Bears to pick up a running back, I don’t believe it’s necessary. The Bears have D’Andre Swift, a capable running back with elite traits many players don’t possess. They also have Roschon Johnson, who has proved to be reliable in short-yardage situations. Then there’s rookie Kyle Monangai. Monangai will play a big role in this offense as the team’s physical runner. I expect Ben Johnson to use him like he used David Montgomery in Detroit. Finally, there’s Travis Homer and Ian Wheeler. Homer will likely make the team because of his contract extension and value on special teams. Wheeler has some serious potential and deserves a shot to make the roster.
When you take these players and give them to an excellent running backs coach in Eric Bienemy, they will improve. Bienemy has a great track record around the league and is known for developing Vikings legend Adrian Peterson. I trust he’ll get the best out of the Bears’ backs.
There are simply too many players in the running back room to add another. If there were a difference-making running back available like Saquon or Bijan Robinson, then I’d be all aboard. But an aging Nick Chubb and injury-prone J.K. Dobbins don’t move the needle for me.
Predicting the Depth Chart
- D’Andre Swift
- Kyle Monangai
- Roschon Johnson
- Travis Homer
- Ian Wheeler (potentially practice squad)
The Chicago Bears running back room isn’t going to blow anybody away. But they have the right players in Ben Johnson’s system to get the job done.
It would be smart to let Swift and Monangai be their one-two punch and develop under Coach Bienemy.
PHOTO: Ron Chenoy/Imagn Images
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