Chicago Bears’ answer at running back could come from unexpected source

The Chicago Bears might not have a franchise running back on the roster, but that doesn’t mean they don’t have a dude who’s capable of making plays out of the backfield for coach Ben Johnson in 2025.

He’s just not a running back. Instead, it’s wide receiver DJ Moore.

Moore took reps out of the backfield at training camp practice on Monday, creating speculation that he could be Johnson’s version of Deebo Samuel with the Bears this year.

Desperate times call for desperate measures, right?

Moore has long been considered one of the more dangerous NFL skill players with the ball in his hands, and there’s no doubt he has running back-like vision and instincts in the open field.

On Monday, DJ Moore even contributed to a trick play out of the backfield.

Check it out:

So, that didn’t look super smooth, but it’s not supposed to in July. And that’s not really the point anyway. The fact that DJ Moore is getting reps out of the backfield means that Ben Johnson is thinking outside the box with one of his best playmakers, which should have Bears fans excited.

It should also put D’Andre Swift on notice that his days as the undisputed RB1 could be numbered. Remember: The 49ers leaned on Deebo Samuel as a big part of their running game before Christian McCaffrey arrived and in games that he couldn’t suit up for due to injury.

Translation? Samuel was a backfield option when the 49ers’ options were limited.

We could see the same approach with DJ Moore in 2025. Unless, of course, the Bears make a power move for a McCaffrey-type runner at some point.

Moore ended last season with 98 catches for 966 yards and six touchdowns. His best season as a runner came as a rookie, when he finished 2018 with 172 yards on the ground.