The Bears’ projected backfield has a chance to be one of the league’s most balanced rushing groups, and that’s not a small thing for a team trying to keep its offense humming. Ben Johnson’s presence already changed the feel of Chicago’s ground game, giving it a steadier rhythm and a balance the Bears haven’t consistently had in recent years. That helped ease the burden on Caleb Williams and played a part in the quarterback’s notable leap a season ago.
That same formula looks set to continue. Chicago has every reason to lean on its backs again, and the expected trio on the roster gives the offense a clear structure heading into 2026. The numbers below paint a picture of what a productive season could look like for each of them.
D’Andre Swift is the headliner, and the expectation is another strong year: 1,056 rushing yards and eight touchdowns. That kind of production makes sense when you consider how well he fits what the Bears want to do.
He should get plenty of work, even with Kyle Monangai involved often and the offense leaning pass-heavy. Swift also enters the season in a contract year, which adds another layer to the story.
The Bears would be smart to extend him before the season starts, but if they don’t, that only increases the motivation for a player who looks ready for a significant payday.
Monangai is projected for 679 rushing yards and three touchdowns, a slight dip from last season’s breakout. That doesn’t come from any doubt about his talent.
It comes from two realities: defenses won’t be caught off guard by his style anymore, and the offense is expected to put a bigger emphasis on the passing game so Williams can keep ascending. Even with a modest drop in production, Monangai still profiles as a vital part of the attack.
Roschon Johnson is the third piece in the mix, though his role is far less certain. He’s projected for 78 rushing yards and no touchdowns, with his carries coming mostly in garbage time.
There’s room to argue whether he should even be the final roster option at the position given his uneven run with the team. But the counterpoint is simple enough: Chicago doesn’t have a locked-in third back, and that kind of depth could matter a lot if injuries hit.
For now, though, Johnson looks like the least likely to see meaningful work, especially after Swift and Monangai earned so much trust last season.
In Other News...
Bears Linked To A Backfield Move Fans Never Expected
The Bears spent much of last season leaning on a very small running back rotation, with D'Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai handling the bulk of the work while Roschon Johnson remained part of the mix. That has naturally led to questions about whether Chicago should add another proven back, and Bleacher Report recently floated the idea of the Bears exploring a trade to bolster the room.
The appeal is obvious in theory, since the right veteran could give the offense more stability and ease the burden on the current depth chart. But the fit is not clean, especially when you factor in salary-cap considerations and the possibility of bringing in a player with recent durability concerns, which makes this one of those ideas that sounds simple on paper and far more complicated once the details come into focus. [Read more 🡒]
One Bears Receiver Is Suddenly At Center Of A Camp Battle
As the Bears head into 2026 training camp, the focus is already turning to the roster spots that could be won or lost in a hurry, and one of the more intriguing names in that mix is Jahdae Walker. After a rookie season with limited playing time but a few key plays, Walker has put himself in position to compete for a bigger role as Chicago sorts through its receiver depth.
Walkers path has become more interesting with the recent roster changes, because there is a real opening for him to emerge as the Bears WR3. He is not alone in that race, though, with third-round pick Zavion Thomas adding another layer to the battle and making this one of the camp competitions worth watching closely. [Read more 🡒]
Two Bears Rookies Are Suddenly In Real Position To Start
With training camp approaching, the Bears rookie class is drawing plenty of attention, and not just from the usual first-year names trying to carve out depth roles. Among the newcomers, Malik Muhammad and Keyshaun Elliott have emerged as the two with the clearest path to forcing their way into the conversation, even as Chicago sorts through a roster that still has several moving parts on both sides of the ball.
Muhammads appeal is tied to his flexibility, since the Bears are open to using him outside or in the slot if he keeps showing up in the right spots. Elliott is in a different kind of race, one shaped by a linebacker group that is crowded but far from settled, where a strong camp could quickly turn a developmental label into something more immediate for Chicago. [Read more 🡒]