Ashton Jeanty To The Bears? Sounds Like It's Getting Real

The Chicago Bears have jumped ahead of everybody in starting the 2025 off-season. In the span of just over 24 hours, they made two calculated trades. One was for guard Jonah Jackson from the Rams, and the other was for guard Joe Thuney from Kansas City. Just like that, their interior offensive line appears to have been upgraded with two former Pro Bowlers. Now people are left wondering what head coach Ben Johnson and GM Ryan Poles could do next. Based on the buzz coming out of the scouting combine, it appears they have eyes on one of the draft's top prospects: Ashton Jeanty.

Draft insider Ryan Fowler of The Draft Network asked around Indianapolis about what could happen in April. One constant source of discussion was a belief that Chicago is zeroing in on the Heisman finalist.

Chicago Locked in on Ashton Jeanty

The core talent surrounding QB Caleb Williams is expected to improve even further in the coming months. While adding pieces up front continues to be a focus on the pro side of things, adding Boise State RB Ashton Jeanty at No. 10 overall was one of the more common topics of conversation at the combine. With wideouts DJ Moore, Rome Odunze, and tight end Cole Kmet already in place, along with the addition of HC Ben Johnson in the headset, Jeanty was a common player-team match that was discussed throughout the week by a variety of different folks.

While things of course can, and will, change for teams, the historically productive ball-carrier could very soon find himself in the NFC North taking handoffs from the 2024 No. 1 overall pick.

People should not be shocked by this.

Start with who the head coach is. Remember, Johnson was the offensive coordinator in Detroit when they selected Jahmyr Gibbs in the 1st round two years ago. That worked out beautifully. This is not somebody who is afraid to take running backs high. For another, many consider Jeanty the best overall prospect in this class. If he weren't a running back, he'd be the consensus #1 overall pick.

Drafting Ashton Jeanty would be a clear signal from the Bears.

They are looking for instant contributors. No more projects with high upside. Johnson said he expects to win and win immediately. The quickest way to accomplish that is by elevating the offense. While the progression of quarterback Caleb Williams is paramount to this, establishing a good ground attack would do so much to help him. Chicago was 25th in rushing last year despite Williams' help from scrambling. That won't be acceptable to Johnson. He wants to run the ball, but D'Andre Swift is not equipped to handle a heavy workload.

There is no arguing that Ashton Jeanty is a baller. He came close to breaking a rushing record in college set by Barry Sanders. He carried his program to the college football playoffs. Johnson wants physical, fundamental, and poised players. Jeanty checks those boxes. He also expressed clear interest in playing for the Bears in recent interviews. Nothing is guaranteed in the draft, but it sounds like this connection is getting serious.