There was an incredible amount of optimism surrounding the Chicago Bears offense this offseason. The Bears drafted Caleb Williams, who has struggled mightily. But he is not the only one.
They signed running back D'Andre Swift to a three-year, $24 million contract in March. That came on the heels of a 2023 season in which both Khalil Herbert and Roschon Johnson failed to get much going on the ground.
That move thus far has blown up in the Bears' face.
Swift has rushed for 68 yards on 37 carries through the first three games. His 1.8 yards per carry ranks dead last in the National Football League among running backs with at least 25 carries this season. To put it simply, he has been putrid.
That prompted ESPN's Jeremy Fowler to suggest Chicago might shake things up.
"Watch for Bears running back Roschon Johnson to possibly get an extended look this week," Fowler said. "Chicago has struggled mightily to run the ball and turned to Johnson, more of a bruiser, for eight carries in Week 3 vs. the Colts. The Bears need to get downhill faster."
In their Week 3 loss to the Indianapolis Colts, Johnson rushed 30 yards on his eight carries while also catching four balls for another 32 yards.
Meanwhile, Swift ran for 20 yards on 13 carries.
Johnson was the Bears' fourth-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft out of Texas. Despite mostly struggling during his rookie season, he showed flashes of potential.
He is a big back, listed at 225 lbs, who is a capable blocker. Chicago's offensive line has proven unable to protect Williams, leading to him taking 13 sacks already. Swift is a quick, wiry tailback who has never been great at blitz pickup.
It stands to reason that Johnson will get an extended look as the Bears look to snap their two-game losing streak against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday.
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