Bears couldn't address perceived biggest weakness how they wanted this offseason

The Bears couldn't do everything they wanted to this offseason, and their perceived biggest weakness reflects that.
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By most accounts the Chicago Bears had a strong offseason, from hiring Ben Johnson as head coach all the way to the talent that was added to the roster. The core part of that talent addition was the overturning of the interior offensive line, in a clear effort to fix the 25th-ranked rushing attack in the league last season and protect quarterback Caleb Williams better.

Johnson's history with D'Andre Swift when the two were with the Detroit Lions, including Johnson's first year as the offensive coordinator in 2022, opened the door for the Bears to make a notable addition at running back this offseason. But any plans in free agency, or in particular the draft, did not come together as hoped.

So Swift remains as the Bears' lead back for this season, with Roschon Johnson, seventh-round rookie Kyle Monangai and Travis Homer behind him on the depth chart. But as has been said plenty, Johnson already knows what the Bears found out last year about giving Swift workhorse-level carry volume. His efficiency falls of a cliff at a certain point, and it's not all the offensive line's fault.

Bears' professed biggest weakness could not be credibly fixed this offseason

In looking at the biggest strength and weakness on each NFL team's roster heading toward the 2025 preseason, Alex Ballentine of Bleacher Report tabbed the offensive backfield as the Bears' biggest weakness.

"It's a good thing the offensive line is much improved. The offensive backfield is going to have a lot to prove in 2025. Caleb Williams wasn't the franchise-altering force as a rookie that Bears fans were hoping. There are contextual factors at play, but he finished 28th in QBR."

"It's a good thing the Bears should have elite run-blocking up front. D'Andre Swift is the kind of back who is going to get what is blocked for him. According to Next Gen Stats, Swift had the worst rushing yards over expected among qualifying ball-carriers. Roschon Johnson averaged 2.7 yards per carry and rookie Kyle Monangai was a seventh-round pick."

"Offensive backfield" of course covers Williams, who struggled under the guidance of bad coaching in a chaotic rookie season. So the biggest weakness category for the Bears right now truly boils down to the question mark at running back, with Swift leading the way there.

An effort was clearly made to supplant Swift from the top of the running back depth chart this offseason, but when it couldn't get done in the fashion the Bears wanted they weren't going to force it.

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So Swift will get his chance to prove he shouldn't be supplanted this season, and come next offseason the path forward regarding a critical piece of Johnson's offense will be clearer.