Chicago Bears sophomore running back Roschon Johnson was arguably the team's most effective ball-carrier as a running back. The No. 115 overall selection in the 2023 NFL Draft was part of a deep backfield rotation that included Khalil Herbert and D'Onta Foreman, not to mention run-first quarterback Justin Fields.
Johnson impressed in limited action, rushing for 352 yards and two touchdowns via 81 carries. The former Texans standout's average of 4.3 yards per carry was second among all running backs, trailing just Herbert and his position-high 4.6-yard mark. The dual-threat Johnson also led all Bears running backs in receptions (34) and receiving yards (209).
The Bears underwent sweeping changes at running back this offseason. Foreman, who rushed for 425 yards last year, signed with the Cleveland Browns in free agency. Poles responded by adding D'Andre Swift via a three-year, $24 million contract.
Swift rushed for a career-high 1,049 yards with the Philadelphia Eagles last season. That production, paired with his league-wide reputation and annual contract terms, strongly insinuate that Swift will be the Bears' primary ball carrier this season. That doesn't necessarily mean Johnson can't still experience a breakout campaign.
Swift made a personal-best 16 appearances for the Eagles this season, but the Pennsylvania native was considered an injury-prone player before that. Recurring injuries sidelined Swift during his 2020, 2021, and 2022 campaigns with the Detroit Lions. Keeping him healthy will be critical to his production. Johnson is the ideal candidate to spell the former Georgia standout on occasion.
Johnson should be Chicago's clear-cut No. 2 this season, a promotion from where he began last September. Herbert has undoubtedly lost influence in Matt Eberflus' backfield. The former Kansas and Virginia Tech back was initially drafted to be a future starter, but the Bears have acquired Johnson and Swift since then. Now entering the final campaign of his four-year rookie contract, it's clear that Herbert's future lies elsewhere.
Johnson should receive every opportunity to showcase development in Shane Waldron's new offense.
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