Probably one of the most competitive positions on the entire Chicago Bears roster is running back. Khalil Herbert came in as the prohibitive favorite to be the starter. That hasn't changed thus far, but he can't get comfortable thanks to the presence of D'Onta Foreman. The veteran free agent has looked good in camp, showcasing why he was such an effective runner for the Carolina Panthers last season. However, this race has a dark horse, and he might finally be making his move.
Roschon Johnson was a career backup at Texas behind star Bijan Robinson, but that didn't stop the Bears from selecting him in the 4th round. They felt he would've been a stud with almost any other program. His size, strength, and versatility were huge selling points going into the draft. All were on display in his first preseason outing against the Tennessee Titans. While the numbers were okay (12 runs for 44 yards and three catches for two yards), the coaches apparently saw enough to give him reps with the first-team offense in practice.
That has never happened before. Matt Eberflus explained the reasoning.
"Just the running style. He’s a downhill guy that we’re excited about. He’s got good vision. And since he’s gotten in there, we really love the style. We’re just gonna keep letting that thing compete out where it belongs, and we’ll see where it goes."
The Chicago Bears have seen confirmation of their suspicions.
It was always felt Johnson had feature-back capability. He's a hard runner with good vision and decent speed. What often separates him from others is how much else he can do. He was a regular presence as a receiver in the passing game and might've been one of the best pass-protecting backs in college football. On top of all that, he was an excellent special teams player. Eberflus and this Bears staff value versatility more than any other trait in their players. So it's no surprise Johnson has caught their eye.
It is probably too early for him to unseat Herbert as the primary back. However, this development suggests he has a chance to eat into Foreman's snaps as a primary rotational back. It's a great reminder of how deep the Chicago Bears suddenly are at the position. Losing David Montgomery was tough, but it looks like they're unlikely to miss a beat, thanks to Foreman and Johnson's presences. Don't be surprised to see the rookie involved heavily in passing downs right away.
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