The Chicago Bears began preparations for their Christmas Eve home game on Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals as the team will look to win their sixth game of the year. One of the reasons for Chicago's loss to Cleveland in Week 15 was the offense's inability to run the ball, as their three running backs recorded 17 rushes for only 36. With the team's playoff hopes nearly nonexistent, it is in Chicago's best interest to have rookie running back Roschon Johnson be the team's prominent back for the remainder of the year.
Chicago Needs To Know If Johnson Is The Team's Long-Term Solution At The Running Back Position
With three games remaining, it is time for general manager Ryan Poles and head coach Matt Eberflus to begin evaluations for next season and determine which players should be kept for 2024 and which ones can be let go. At the running back position, it appears likely that the team will need to determine what direction they need to go, especially with what has transpired with both Khalil Herbert and D'Onta Foreman. Neither Foreman nor Herbert has excelled in the team's last three games, as Johnson has consistently had the most explosive plays of the three over the past few weeks.
https://x.com/Zack_Pearson/status/1704188986430799915?s=20
The situation with Chicago's running back position has been in flux throughout 2023 as injuries and production have played a role in each back being featured in a significant role. Herbert, although proven to be an explosive talent capable of generating big runs, has had injury concerns as he has missed four games in back-to-back years. Despite rushing for over 700 yards in just 13 games last season, the third-year running back hasn't been healthy or impactful since Chicago's Week 5 game against Washington.
It has been a different issue for D'onta Foreman, as his production level has tapered off over the past several weeks, partially due to all three running backs being more involved but also a lack of significant rushing attempts. In the past three games, he has only rushed for 50 yards or more just once, while rushing for 60 yards or more in four of the five games when he was the featured back in October. Against the Browns on Sunday, Foreman rushed for negative six yards on six attempts.
https://x.com/MusikFan4Life/status/1736510664686854240?s=20
Against the Browns' top-ranked defense, the main reason for Chicago's struggles when running the ball with both Herbert and Foreman appeared to be a lack of difference-making speed. Both running backs were constantly stopped either at the line or for just a few yards, as it was apparent that they could not get a quick start once getting the handoff from Justin Fields. The lack of speed proved to be the issue as both Johnson and wide receiver Velus Jones Jr both recorded rushing attempts of 15 yards or more.
Johnson's more compact frame and speed appeared to make a difference against Cleveland as he recorded a 22-yard run and a reception for 12 yards. Compared to Herbert and Foreman, Chicago's rookie running back appears to be the most well-rounded of the three as he can pass-catch, block, and offers multiple styles of running. Where Foreman is a power back, and Herbert struggles with pass-blocking, the Bears' rookie running back has yet to show flaws as a potential every-down running back.
https://x.com/OfficialJAYCHI/status/1735378468014108699?s=20
With three games remaining, Johnson deserves a chance to prove to the Bears that he can be their starter in 2024. The rookie has the two longest rushing attempts by any of Chicago's running backs this season and has a consistent threat in the passing offense. If given most of the rushing attempts in the Bears' final three contests, Johnson could have a terrific chance of recording the first 100-yard rushing game of his career and only the second of the season for the team.
The Bears' Running Back Position Hasn't Had A True Lead Back In A Few Years
There should be some desire to determine if Johnson is Chicago's future at the running back position, as none of the other backs are signed to long-term contracts. Foreman is a free agent after the end of this year, while Herbert will be a free agent following the 2024 season. With others not signed long-term, the decision will turn to how much to use Johnson and whether or not a more talented back needs to be added via free agency or the NFL Draft.
If Johnson becomes the Bears' true starting running back, it will be the first time since 2020 that the offense will have a legitimate number-one rusher. Although Chicago had David Montgomery for the past two seasons before 2023, he was either injured or split carries with Herbert in 2021 and 2022. Montgomery's only 1,000-yard rushing season with the Bears was in 2020 when he was the featured back while Tarik Cohen and Cordarrelle Patterson were used in specialized roles or as backups.
Montgomery's 2020 season was also the last time Chicago had a running back rush for over 1,000 yards in a season, which was due to them leaning on the former Iowa State back heavily at the end of that year. Despite having multiple proven running backs being a pleasant commodity, it can lead to the issue of there not being enough carries for one specific player to demonstrate how talented they are. Johnson deserves that opportunity to show his true potential for Chicago heading into 2024.
https://x.com/NFL/status/1338185770662649857?s=20
Although it is vital to have depth at the running back position, it is imperative to have your starter in place whom you can trust in any kind of situation. With three games left in their season, the Bears must learn whether or not Johnson can consistently be that needed feature back. With the playoffs a pipedream at this point, Chicago needs to make sure they have at least the running back position solidified, as there will be other positions that have higher needs that will be addressed during the upcoming offseason.
Loading comments...