Bleacher Report connects the Chicago Bears to a surprising free agent
Ben Johnson’s arrival as the Chicago Bears head coach seems to have led many to believe that the team will look to bolster their running back position this offseason.
It was a similar approach the Bears had last offseason when they signed D’Andre Swift to a three-year contract that the team can easily get out of following the 2025 season. One of the more curious developments of the Bears’ 2024 season was how quickly Khalil Herbert faded from the team’s offensive scheme. When Swift was not in the backfield, the Bears deferred to Roschon Johnson on short-yardage situations.
It didn’t necessarily seem like Ryan Poles’s plan when the team signed Swift. The belief was that the Bears would use Swift more as a pass-catcher while also having the ability to make plays outside of the tackles. Herbert, in theory, would have been the running back used for gains between the tackles. Nevertheless, Herbert was traded to the Cincinnati Bengals ahead of the NFL Trade Deadline.
Assuming the Bears do not part ways with Swift this offseason, chances are Johnson will look to utlitize the veteran in a similar way that Jahmyr Gibbs is used with the Detroit Lions. It’s not an exact comparison but for what Johnson was able to draw up for Gibbs, Swift would be an ideal candidate for that type of role.
If that happens, the Bears may look to double-dip at the running back position by targeting the position in free agency. Along those lines, the Bears are one of the teams listed as a match for free-agent Aaron Jones as Kristopher Knox runs through the list of free-agent running backs for Bleacher Report.
“New Bears head coach Ben Johnson knows exactly what Jones can offer after repeatedly facing him as the Detroit Lions’ offensive coordinator. Johnson could also be interested in pairing D’Andre Swift with a back like Jones to form a talented duo like the one he had with Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery in Detroit,” Know writes.
Could Aaron Jones continue his NFC North tour and sign with the Chicago Bears?
Jones started all 17 games for the Minnesota Vikings this past season, totaling 1,138 yards and 5 rushing touchdowns on 255 carries. If nothing else, Jones put himself in a position to get a healthy contract this offseason. Short of the Bears trading Swift, it’s difficult to see a pairing with Jones, given the unrealistic expectation of paying a decent coin on two running backs.
The Likeliest of scenarios remains the Bears taking a running back on the second day of the 2025 NFL Draft. The draft class is deep on running backs and would allow the Bears to have an easy improvement to the position group without spending heavily for the second consecutive offseason.
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