The Chicago Bears had one of the NFL’s most productive ground games in 2025, and it wasn’t by accident. With offensive coordinator Ben Johnson dialing up a top-three rushing attack, the Bears leaned heavily on the one-two punch of D’Andre Swift and rookie Kyle Monangai.
Swift delivered the best season of his career, racking up 1,386 total yards and 10 touchdowns, while Monangai chipped in 947 yards and five scores of his own. Both backs are under contract for 2026, so on the surface, Chicago’s backfield looks set.
But things might not be as settled as they seem.
According to reports, the Bears are eyeing a potential splash in free agency-and the name being floated is a big one: Travis Etienne. The Jacksonville Jaguars’ lead back is expected to hit the open market this March, and Chicago is reportedly preparing to make a strong push to land him.
Etienne is coming off a season that reminded everyone why he was a first-round pick back in 2021. He totaled 1,107 rushing yards and seven touchdowns on the ground, while adding 36 receptions and six more scores through the air. That’s 13 total touchdowns for a player who’s become a true three-down threat-capable of running inside, catching out of the backfield, and holding his own in pass protection.
The Jaguars would love to keep him, but they’re facing a tough cap situation this offseason. That opens the door for a team like Chicago, which not only has the financial flexibility but also the offensive scheme to maximize Etienne’s skill set.
So why would the Bears, a team that already has two productive backs, consider adding another?
Start with the basics: Etienne is a year younger than Swift and has two fewer seasons of NFL wear and tear. He’s also slightly bigger at 5'10", 215 pounds-giving him a bit more pop through contact.
But what really sets him apart is his ability to create explosive plays after contact. He’s got elite contact balance, the kind that allows him to bounce off would-be tacklers and keep moving downhill.
Over the past three seasons, he’s found the end zone 27 times. That’s the kind of production that gets a coach’s attention.
Especially a coach like Ben Johnson.
Johnson’s system thrives on turning solid plays into game-changers. His ideal back isn’t just someone who hits the hole-it’s someone who can make defenders miss, break tackles, and turn a six-yard gain into a 60-yard sprint.
That’s why the Lions drafted Jahmyr Gibbs when Johnson was in Detroit. Etienne may not have Gibbs’ pure top-end speed, but he brings a similar dynamic element to the field.
He’s a playmaker, plain and simple.
Then there’s the contract situation. Swift has only one year left on his deal, and the Bears could move on from him-either via trade or release-without much financial fallout. That would clear the path for Etienne to step in as the featured back in Johnson’s offense, with Monangai continuing to provide value as a complementary piece.
It’s still early in the offseason, and a lot can change before free agency opens. But if the Bears do make a run at Etienne, it won’t be just about adding talent-it’ll be about finding the right fit for a system that’s already proven it can run the ball with authority. Etienne’s blend of vision, balance, and finishing ability could take that run game from good to great.
And if Chicago’s serious about building around a young quarterback and controlling games on the ground, this move would make a lot of sense.