Ben Johnson Predicted To Engineer A Surprise Trade For Bears

Ben Johnson made it clear he loved a lot of the roster that GM Ryan Poles had already built. He didn't call the Chicago Bears a sleeping giant for no reason. However, like any new head coach, he undoubtedly has his own vision for certain players he'd like to have (or not have) on the roster moving forward. That is not to say everybody is on the chopping block. This won't be the case. Johnson didn't come here to tear everything down and start over. He came to win. However, he might push for an overhaul in at least one position.

Based on his track record, the one to watch is running back. Johnson loves running the football. He proved that during his three years in Detroit. One of the first big moves he signed off on was trading D'Andre Swift to Philadelphia in the spring of 2023. It was the first step in a total overhaul of the position that eventually landed David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs. Moe Moton of Bleacher Report believes Johnson will duplicate that decision again this off-season.

Bears Get: 2025 5th-round pick

Raiders Get: RB D'Andre Swift

As the Detroit Lions' offensive coordinator, new Bears lead skipper Ben Johnson coached Swift, utilizing the versatile running back's skill set as a ball-carrier and receiver. 

However, Swift only played in Johnson's system for one season (2022), because Detroit traded him to the Philadelphia Eagles during the 2023 offseason. The Lions and Eagles swapped seventh-rounders, and Detroit also acquired a 2025 fourth-rounder in the deal...

...Johnson may—again—approve a trade that would send Swift to another team. If so, the Raiders would be a logical fit.

Ben Johnson would be picking a good time to do this.

There are a few reasons. Despite his pedestrian 3.8 yards per carry last season, Swift still managed over 1300 total yards from scrimmage. His value as a backfield weapon was undiminished. So he should have trade value since he's still only 26 years old. A 5th round pick to a needy team is hardly outlandish. The other part of this is the incoming draft class. Most experts agree that running back might be the deepest and most talented position group of this 2025 cycle. There are starting-caliber players expected to be available deep into day two and even early on day three. Ben Johnson could land two quality options in one draft if the Bears manage their resources properly. Nothing is set in stone, but if there is a surprise move coming, this feels like one to watch.