Amid all the changes the Chicago Bears made this offseason, one seemed obvious but didn't quite come to ideal fruition. And it was not for a lack of apparent effort, in free agency or the draft.
When Ben Johnson was hired as the Bears' head coach, he inherited D'Andre Swift as his lead running back. The two of course have history, as Swift was drafted by the Detroit Lions in 2020 and Johnson was on the coaching staff there for the past six seasons.
During his first season as the Lions' offensive coordinator, 2022, Johnson found out what it looked like to try to give Swift workhorse-level touch volume. He could not hold up physically, then he was traded on Day 3 of the 2023 draft.
Swift's subsequent two teams, the Philadelphia Eagles in 2023 and the Bears last year, have found out what giving him that kind of volume looks like--and it's not good, with eroding effectiveness over the course of the season.
It's a stretch to say Johnson "hates" Swift, as some may want to say. But the aforementioned effort to add a running back is notable, even if it ultimately was not going to be forced just for the sake of unseating Swift.
So the Bears' running back depth chart for 2025 will be Swift, followed by the previously underused Roschon Johnson and an intriguing rookie in Kyle Monangai. There are teams out there that would be envious of that backfield situation. even if feels ripe for an eventual upgrade.
Bears and Ben Johnson could be perfect fit for player who's in line for change of scenery
Alex Ballentine of Bleacher Report has taken a very early look toward the 2026 NFL offseason, honing in on a player each team should re-sign and one who could be a free agent target next March.
New York Jets running back Breece Hall was tabbed as the potential 2026 free agent target for the Bears.
"The Bears are heading toward a tight cap situation in 2026. They are projected to be $9.5 million over the cap heading into the offseason. However, clearing enough cap space to pay for a running back should be doable and Breece Hall figures to be one of the most intriguing names who could be available."
"He has struggled to live up to the expectations of being an early second-rounder. We're waiting on his first 1,000-yard rushing season. But the Jets haven't been a picture of offensive stability or even blocking during his time in New York. A fresh start in a Ben Johnson offense could be appealing for both parties."
Perhaps In light of early comments Jets head coach Aaron Glenn made about how the team's running backs would be deployed, Hall more recently offered a stark realization about his situation as he heads into a contract year under a new regime.
"We got a new head coach, new GM," Hall said, back in late-July. "Obviously, I wasn't drafted by them, I'm not their guy. So for me, like I said, I've got to prove it every day. For me, I've got a chip on my shoulder. I feel like right now, OK, it's my last chance. For me, it's always been, 'he's got potential, he's got potential,' but now I want to be the product."
Hall had a disappointing 2024 season (876 rushing yards and five touchdowns over 16 games). The potential he noted has been stifled by a torn ACL during his rookie season in 2022, and a less than ideal offensive ecosystem in New York during the subsequent two seasons.
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It seems very unlikely the Jets will give Hall a contract extension during the season, or make much effort to re-sign him if he moves toward the open market next March. As that market inevitably opens to him after the season, he and the Bears do look to be a nice potential match.