Bears 2024 training camp preview: Running Backs

Like the quarterback room, the Chicago Bears have a clear No. 1 running back in mind as training camp approaches. GM Ryan Poles spent big money signing D’Andre Swift just minutes after free agency opened this year, which means he’s already been penciled in as the RB1. Beyond that, there are a few questions about this position group.

Let’s break down the running backs before they report to training camp.

D’Andre Swift

As aforementioned, Swift joins the Bears on a 3-year, $24 million deal. That’s big money for a running back these days, which means there will be big expectations for the 4-year veteran. He’s coming off the best season of his career, racking up 1,049 yards and five touchdowns in one year with the Eagles.

However, Swift seemed run-down by the end of the season, suggesting he’d been overworked. While the former Lion will still command the lion’s share of touches in Chicago, capable backups like Khalil Herbert and Roschon Johnson should allow him to stay fresh and ready to go for 17 games (or more).

I have my doubts about Swift’s impact in Chicago, but I’m willing and hoping to be proven wrong. At the very least, he should positively affect the passing game.

Khalil Herbert

In 2023, Herbert failed to live up to Bears fans’ high hopes for him as RB1. He wasn’t bad by any means, averaging 4.6 yards per carry in 2023, but it was a clear downgrade from David Montgomery, who had departed in free agency. Returning to the RB2 role should be good for his career and the team’s chances to succeed in 2024.

Roschon Johnson

Like Herbert, Johnson’s 2023 season was a bit of a disappointment despite being a rookie. He was widely seen as a potential steal of the 2023 draft when he fell to Chicago in the fourth round, but his impact on the field was limited. Fortunately, his story is far from written. Bears fans will hope to see a leap in his sophomore year.

Travis Homer

Homer has been in Chicago for just one season and was more of a special teamer than a running back. He’s squarely on the roster bubble.

Ian Wheeler

Wheeler, an undrafted free agent from Howard, signed with Chicago after the 2024 draft. He’s arguably the most intriguing undrafted free agent going into 2024 and has the chance to be this year’s Tyson Bagent. He averaged 7.4 yards per carry in his final season at Howard and provided some serious juice as a kick returner.

Wheeler’s presence at training camp should signal to multiple veterans that they’ll be fighting for their jobs.

Khari Blasingame

The fullback position is the biggest question mark as we near training camp. Blasingame signed with Chicago when Luke Getsy joined the Bears as the offensive coordinator in 2022. But Getsy is gone, replaced by the former offensive coordinator for the Seattle Seahawks, Shane Waldron, and they did not keep a dedicated fullback on the roster in 2023.

Blasingame has played a small but pivotal role in Chicago, often clearing running lanes in the red zone or providing an extra blocker in the passing game. I think the Bears would benefit by keeping him around, but ultimately, it will come down to the kind of offense Waldron wants to run and whether that calls for a dedicated fullback.