The Bears Have Major Issues at a Key Offensive Position
The Chicago Bears start the regular season in a week and a half, with one position group looming with plenty of bad questions. The Bears’ starting running back for the season will again be D’Andre Swift, who would have an average 2024-25 season. Swift would rush for 959 yards and six touchdowns, which would be enough to earn him a second season in Chicago, leading the rushing attack. Many Bears fans were calling for general manager Ryan Poles to find the team a high-value running back, but the team would ultimately decide to lean on younger talent. Looking at the depth chart behind Swift, the Bears could have a problem right before the season starts.
Backing up Swift is running back Roschon Johnson. The former Texas Longhorn would rush for 150 yards and six touchdowns last season, being a reliable rusher in the red zone to get the Bears into the end zone. Despite tying Swift in touchdowns last season, Johnson would still struggle to pick up lots of yards and is considered a very replaceable backup. He’s also currently dealing with a foot injury that has held him out of practice, leaving his status up in the air heading into the season. It hasn’t gotten much better either for the players behind Johnson.
Running back Kyle Monangai would be drafted by the Bears in the seventh round of this year's draft. The former Scarlet Knight would show plenty of promise this offseason, impressing Bears fans and media with his tough physical running. However, Monangai has been dealing with a soft tissue injury that has held him out of practice as well. As things currently stand, Swift’s health has become of vital importance for this Bears offense, as an injury could leave Chicago desperately searching for answers. Luckily for the Bears, wide receiver D.J. Moore has been receiving more reps at running back, potentially leaving him as an emergency backup if needed. His ability to get open as a receiver has translated to him getting big gains rushing the ball. As the Bears head towards Week One against the Minnesota Vikings on Monday Night Football, the running backs will be the position group to keep an eye on.
