When the 2025 NFL Draft opens, the Chicago Bears will be able to go a variety of routes early on. Owning four picks in the top 72 selections, general manager Ryan Poles has some flexibility.
Especially after the Bears went out and addressed multiple needs in a big way over the past few weeks, there is even more wiggle room.
Yet, one particular position still seems to be at the forefront of fans' minds. It is blatantly obvious, isn't it?
It's the running back room, where D'Andre Swift is anything but "safe" at this point. In fact, one could argue he is far from it and will even see his job taken away in the near future. After the Bears concluded their pre-draft visits, this couldn't be truer.
The Bears hosted Iowa running back Kaleb Johnson for a visit which now, more than ever, cements the running back position as an early target. In fact, it's a must-have position within the top three rounds.
Kaleb Johnson's pre-draft visit etches the Bears' strategy in stone
Johnson's visit is now the fourth official running back visit for the Bears. For context, the Shemar Stewart visit makes it only two defensive linemen the team has used a pre-draft visit with.
That's extremely telling.
It is also not a surprise in the least bit. Fans reading about the running back position being a top need and target are mostly thinking, "Well, duh."
And that's fair. However, it cannot be stressed enough that if the Bears address running back in a way that results in a home-run fit and selection, this offense could truly be leaps and bounds better in the matter of one season.
Looking at what Ben Johnson did in Detroit using both David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs, his offense catered to running backs. His offense used the run game first and foremost. Everybody loves to talk about Jared Goff turning his career around and Amon-Ra St. Brown's emergence, but it starts and ends with Detroit's run game.
That's especially why the Bears are going to attack the position and try to find their perfect fit. This is all about elevating Caleb Williams and giving him the most consistent, dependable running back room he could ask for.
Is it going to be Johnson? Will it be one of the others to enjoy a pre-draft visit with the Bears: Omarion Hampton, Ashton Jeanty or Brashard Smith?
Whichever route they go, one thing is very clear at this point: Ben Johnson's fingerprints are all over the pre-draft process. Poles might be the man who makes the calls, but Johnson is significantly impacting each and every single pre-draft move.