The Chicago Bears enter this offseason with no shortage of decisions to make - not just in free agency, but within their own locker room. While much of the buzz has centered around high-profile names like D’Andre Swift and DJ Moore, there's another conversation quietly building around a player who once looked like a key piece of the future but now finds himself on the outside looking in.
Roschon Johnson’s Time in Chicago May Be Running Out
When the Bears selected Roschon Johnson in the fourth round of the 2023 NFL Draft, the vision was clear: he’d be the thunder to someone else’s lightning in the backfield. A physical runner out of Texas with a reputation for toughness and team-first mentality, Johnson was supposed to be the reliable power back who could grind out tough yards and wear down defenses.
And early on, it looked like that plan might work. Johnson’s rookie season wasn’t flashy, but it was solid.
He rushed for 352 yards and two touchdowns, averaging 4.3 yards per carry - respectable numbers for a rotational back learning the ropes. In 2024, his role shifted more toward short-yardage situations, and while his total yardage dipped to 150 on 55 carries, he still found the end zone six times.
He was carving out a niche.
But 2025 changed everything.
Injuries played a role, but even when healthy, Johnson found himself buried on the depth chart. The emergence of rookie Kyle Monangai - a seventh-round pick who brought a similar power-back profile but with fresher legs and more juice - essentially erased Johnson’s role.
Monangai didn’t just fill the spot; he took it and made it his own. Johnson, meanwhile, appeared in just seven games, recording only two carries for 17 yards all season.
That’s not just a dip in production. That’s a full-on vanishing act.
A Crowded Backfield and a Shrinking Window
Right now, the Bears’ backfield looks like it belongs to Monangai and Swift. Monangai has stepped into the power role with confidence, and Swift continues to provide the speed and explosiveness in space. Together, they’ve formed a 1-2 punch that’s hard to ignore - and harder for Johnson to crack.
There’s still a slim path for Johnson to stick around. He’s under contract for one more year, and the Bears could bring him into training camp to compete for the RB3 spot.
Maybe he carves out a role on special teams. Maybe he surprises with a strong preseason.
But the writing is on the wall. Unless something unexpected happens - an injury, a sudden shift in scheme, or a standout camp - Johnson’s days in Chicago could be numbered.
From Promising Rookie to Possible Cut
This league moves fast, especially at running back. One day you’re a promising mid-round pick with a clear role, and the next you’re fighting for a roster spot behind a rookie taken three rounds later. Johnson’s work ethic and character have never been in question, but production talks - and right now, he’s not producing.
The Bears have to make tough choices this offseason. Some will involve big names and big contracts.
Others, like Johnson’s situation, fly under the radar but still matter. Do they hold onto him for depth?
Or do they cut ties early and open up a spot for someone else?
Either way, it’s clear: the clock is ticking on Roschon Johnson’s time in Chicago.