One of the more surprising candidates the Chicago Bears interviewed for their head coaching vacancy last month was former Tennessee Titans running back Eddie George.
Geroge is the current head coach of Tennessee State University, and given the surprise nature of how the news of his interview broke, there was a sense that the Bears were completing the interview only to satisfy the NFL's Rooney Rule. The Bears interviewed George on January 19, one day before they agreed to terms with Ben Johnson to be their next head coach.
Despite the impression, George had nothing but great things to say about how the Bears handled his interview. In speaking about his interview with the Bears, George may have given insight into how the team's 2025 NFL Draft Board is shaping up.
Eddie George revealed that when he interviewed with the #Bears for the head coaching job that Quinshon Judkins and or TreVeyon Henderson were definitely on their radar 👀👀 pic.twitter.com/ygBZXfuXcP
— BearsNetwork (@BearsNetwork712) February 5, 2025
While the Bears were interviewing nearly 20 candidates before NFL rules permitted them to hire Johnson, one suggestion making the rounds was Ryan Poles was looking for outside input on what the team should do this offseason. The fact that Ohio State running backs Quinshon Judkins and TreVeyon Henderson were among the draft prospects George discussed with the Bears does suggest the team is looking to bolster their running back for the second consecutive offseason.
Chicago Bears may be looking for their long-term running back.
With Johnson's arrival as head coach, that has only heightened the suggestion that the Bears may draft a running back. While it would seem unlikely that the Bears will draft Ashton Jeanty in the first-round of the 2025 NFL Draft. using one of their Day 2 picks on a running back likely is on the table.
Judkins, after totaling 1,060 rushing yards and 14 rushing touchdowns with the Ohio State Buckeyes last season, projects to be a Top-50 pick in the upcoming draft. Of the two, Judkins has the higher draft profile. If the Bears double down on their prioritization of the offensive and defensive line, it's possible that they will turn their attention to Henderson.
Providing clarity to the running back depth chart will likely be one of the tasks to be accomplished this offseason. Johnson's arrival has ignited speculation that D'Andre Swift may be traded as he was when Johnson was the Lions' offensive coordinator but one scenario could see the Bears keep Swift as a gadget running back while adding a running back capable of finding success between the tackles.