The Chicago Bears' first big free agency splash in 2024 was the addition of running back D'Andre Swift. It was a surprising move by general manager Ryan Poles, who entered this offseason with two capable running backs on the roster: Khalil Herbert and Roschon Johnson.
Regardless, Swift's combination of burst, wiggle, and receiving ability made him too appealing to pass up. The Bears signed him to a three-year, $24 million deal, which in today's running back market suggests there's no competition at RB1 in Chicago.
But it wasn't long ago that Poles spent a fourth-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft on Johnson, who one Bears scout suggested could become a pillar of the organization. It was lofty praise for a Day-3 rookie, and quite honestly, Johnson didn't live up to the hype last season.
He finished his rookie year with 81 carries for 352 yards and two touchdowns.
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Perhaps Roschon Johnson's midseason concussion derailed his momentum to prove he could be the undisputed starting running back in 2024. Or maybe it was his lackluster skill set that failed to impress whenever his number was called. Whatever the reason, he certainly won't back down from D'Andre Swift in this summer's training camp battle for carries.
Despite their looming clash, Swift and Johnson are becoming fast friends in their offseason training. Check out this impressive training video that made its rounds on social media Thursday:
Day 1: 🐻⬇️ Ro & Swift pic.twitter.com/3xM5Xxi0Uo
— J.Hicks (@3hunnidGuru) March 22, 2024
Will Roschon Johnson make a Year 2 leap?
If one thing stands out from that video, it's Johnson's improved quickness and footwork. After watching his Texas film last year, I was concerned with Johnson's lack of wiggle and slower-than-ideal feet, so his OK rookie season didn't surprise me. This video, however, does.
Johnson cuts and glides through each drill with almost as much ease as D'Andre Swift, whose calling card is quick feet and explosive lateral agility. If Johnson's offseason training results in a more explosive running style in 2024, we could be in for a pleasant surprise in the backfield, even if Swift remains the RB1A.
Johnson, as an RB1B, would be quite the treat.
That leaves Khalil Herbert as the odd man out, which, quite honestly, he should be. Herbert is entering the final year of his rookie contract, and with the commitment the Chicago Bears made to Swift, there's no chance (literally, zero) that Herbert will be re-signed at the end of the season.
