The Chicago Bears ran the ball about 45% of the time in 2025, ranking 11th in the NFL, up from 25th the year prior (40%). Chicago also increased its rushing yards from 1,734 two years ago (25th) to the 3rd most in the NFL (2,456) in Ben Johnson’s first year. Much of that running in 2025 came from formations where the Bears had the quarterback line up under center, which gives defenses more to think about.
In 2025, the Bears had 192 dropback passes from under center, which was the second most in the NFL, and quarterback Caleb Williams had 169 play-action pass attempts, also the second most in the NFL.
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Having an offense that can marry the running game to the passing game is what separates good playbooks from bad, and Ben Johnson has proven over his years as a playcaller that this is a strength of his scheme.
Johnson’s running game has been a strength each year he’s called plays, and even though the Bears lost running backs coach Eric Bieniemy, they added the experienced Eric Studesville, who spent the last few years in Miami, where the Dolphins had one of the best run-game schemes in the NFL.
I’m confident that Chicago’s rushing attack will again be among the league’s best.
Here’s how the Bears’ running back room looks right now.
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D’Andre Swift – Signed through 2026 – Swift proved a lot of doubters wrong, including me, with his decisive running last season. I figured the Bears would get a lead back last year and let Swift be the change-of-pace option, but Swift, who just turned 27, had a career year and was more than just a bounce-it-outside guy. He ran hard, he ran between the tackles, and he was good in the passing game.
Kyle Monangai – Signed through 2028 – The rookie seventh-rounder provided the change of pace to Swift, as he was a physical presence in the offense. He also showed he could be RB1 by rushing 26 times for 176 yards and catching 3 passes for 22 yards when Swift missed the Bengals game.
The Bears were the only team in the NFL to have two running backs finish in the top 25 in rushing yards, with Swift 12th and Monangai 24th.
Travis Homer – Free agent – The Bears brought Homer back last year on a one-year deal, mostly for special teams, and he finished with 10 special teams tackles in 10 games (163 snaps).
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Roschon Johnson – Signed through 2026 – Johnson was limited to just 7 games in 2025 with various injuries, but the good news is he didn’t suffer any concussions after having previous issues with them.
Brittain Brown – Signed through 2026 – Brown spent most of 2025 on the practice squad, but when Swift missed the game in Cincinnati, Brown chipped in with 5 runs for 37 yards and a touchdown.
Deion Hankins – Signed through 2027 – Hankins, a rookie UDFA, missed the entire season while on injured reserve.
2026 OUTLOOK – The Bears have a decision to make with Swift, because as he’s in the final year of his deal, they could free up $7.4 million by releasing him. I’m not buying the Travis Etienne Jr. rumor that popped up about a week ago, because they both have similar styles, are the same age, and why cut Swift just to pay more money to Etienne in free agency?
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However, down at the Super Bowl, our guy Bill Zimmerman said he heard from a couple of people that Swift could be out.
Creating a hole on the roster makes no sense to me unless they plan to feature Monangai more while adding a cheaper vet on a one or two-year deal. Brian Robinson Jr. of the San Francisco 49ers, J.K. Dobbins of the Denver Broncos, or Jerome Ford of the Cleveland Browns would come in relatively cheap.
Regardless of what happens, I think another back is likely to be drafted at some point just to keep the depth chart churning, but keep in mind that this year’s class isn’t considered as strong at running back as last year’s was.
The big running back prize is Notre Dame’s Jeremiyah Love, but he’s probably not falling out of the top ten.
What do you think will happen at running back this offseason?
Who are some of your favorite day three tailbacks in the draft?
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