The Chicago Bears' offense has skewed considerably toward the pass through first-year head coach Ben Johnson's first four games. However, the advanced metrics will tell you that's largely due to their inefficient ground game and struggles to make stops.
Chicago's defensive shortcomings appear to be a lingering topic of the 2025 NFL campaign, especially with two-time Pro Bowl cornerback Jaylon Johnson's potential season-ending absence. It's hard to envision them improving much, if at all, on that side of the ball. Yet, Sports Illustrated's Gilberto Manzano and Matt Verderame ostensibly see a path for the Bears to address their backfield woes.
Manzano and Verderame believe Miami Dolphins star running back De'Von Achane getting traded to Chicago before the league's Nov. 4 deadline is a logical outcome. Interestingly, the idea was pitched as a move the AFC club should make, though it's equally rational for the Bears, if not more.
Dolphins star De'Von Achane would solve the Bears' RB problems once and for all
Posting a negative pass rate over expectation ($) in three of four contests under Johnson thus far, it's clear the Bears prefer to run. Yet, Swift's lowly 3.3 yards per attempt (and Chicago allowing 29.3 points per game) make this strategy hard to execute. Achane's dynamism can help bring Johnson's vision for this Chicago squad to life.
Verderame notes that Achane has two years remaining on his rookie contract (including this season) with annual base salary figures of $1.2 million and $1.4 million. The combination of cost-friendly team control and talent may make the Dolphins' versatile tailback "somewhat costly" to pry away. Nevertheless, the ineffectiveness of Chicago's incumbent starter, Swift, arguably justifies an aggressive pursuit of external help.
In addition to his patented explosiveness, Achane provides tackle-evading and yards-after-contact ability that the Bears haven't gotten from Swift. Moreover, the former is a chess piece with the receiving chops and malleability to move around the formation. Chicago can diversify its arsenal, which a creative play-caller like Johnson presumably welcomes, while addressing an area of need.
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Bears quarterback Caleb Williams hasn't had someone he can dump/hand the ball off to and watch them work. That makes life difficult for a young player already dealing with the pressure of being a franchise passer. Achane presents the 2024 No. 1 overall pick with an exciting short- and long-term outlet.