In the Chicago Bears' head coach Ben Johnson's offense, the running game is everything. It's one of the first obstacles a defense must prepare for, and it also represents the team's identity.
The run game sets the tone, and that's exactly what the Bears did in the ground game during the 2025 season. The Bears finished as the No. 3 rushing team in total yards (2,456). D'Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai provided Chicago with a one-two punch at the position.
As 2026 NFL free agency approaches, players who meant so much to their previous teams will be looking for the next one to call home. One of those players is Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III.
Why those talking Kenneth Walker to Bears should not
The 5-foot-9, 211-pound running back ran for 1,027 yards on 221 carries and five touchdowns in the regular season, and was named the Super Bowl MVP for his 135 rushing yards on 27 attempts in the Seahawks 29-13 win over the New England Patriots.
He is now a free agent, an enticing player for a team that needs a running back or emphasizes running the football. The Bears fit the latter. And Pro Football Focus has named Chicago as the best landing spot for Walker.
Kenneth Walker in the Bears offense 🏆 pic.twitter.com/XemvcK7kjg
— PFF Fantasy (@PFF_Fantasy) March 4, 2026
Although Walker would make the Bears’ rushing attack even more dangerous, it makes no sense to add him to this current roster. That would even be true if the Bears were to release Swift before June 1, which would save $6.97 million in cap space.
But the Bears would still have to sign Walker. PFF has a projected three-year contract averaging $11.5 million per year.
Given the holes that the Bears have on their roster at center, left tackle, edge rusher, interior defensive line, linebacker, and safety, general manager Ryan Poles can’t afford to give even more money to the running back position.
Read more: NFL insider pours cold water on Bears' trade involvement with Maxx Crosby
Walker in Johnson’s offense could be dynamic, but the Bears already had one of the league’s best running games behind Swift and Mongangi. Caleb Williams and the rest of the Bears’ offense would be in a better position running it back with who they have rather than devoting more resources to the backfield.