Bears linked to 2-time 1,000-yard running back as training camp unfolds

The one position on the Chicago Bears’ roster that’s received the most negative attention over the last few months is running back. Returning starter D’Andre Swift hasn’t inspired much confidence from within the fanbase, and his immediate backup, Roschon Johnson, has looked very average during his first two seasons in the league.

General manager Ryan Poles didn’t do much to add competition to the depth chart at the position, either. The only new addition is seventh-round pick Kyle Monangai, who, admittedly, is an intriguing prospect. In fact, he might be the best running back on the team by the time midseason rolls around.

But I’m not sure whether that’s praise for Monangai or an indictment against the Chicago Bears’ running back room.

Ben Johnson hears the noise surrounding Chicago’s running backs, and he said this week that the locker room hears it too.

“Highly motivated group,” Johnson said Thursday. “I know the perception out there is that maybe it’s not the most talented room in the world — they like to hear that noise.”

Chicago Bears connected to more trade proposals at running back

That noise continues to get louder as 2025 training camp unfolds.

For example, check out the latest trade suggestion from Pro Football Sports Network. They have the Bears targeting Jacksonville Jaguars running back Travis Etienne in a deal that would cost Chicago their 2026 third-round pick.

“Adding a high-upside running back could be the missing piece to ease pressure on Williams and maximize the new line’s potential,” PFSN wrote. “While D’Andre Swift remains a capable starter, partnering with Travis Etienne Jr. would create one of the NFL’s more dynamic backfields.”

Etienne was selected in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft and began his career with back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons for the Jaguars. He averaged an impressive 5.1 yards per carry as a rookie but has regressed to below 4.0 yards per tote over the last two years. In fact, his 3.7 yards per carry in 2024 was actually worse than Swift’s (3.8).

Regardless, Etienne would offer the Bears a player who profiles more like Jahmyr Gibbs than anyone on the roster right now.

I get it; the Bears shouldn’t be chasing a bargain-bin version of Gibbs at this point. Maybe Swift is that guy anyway. But if Poles can add a first-round pedigree running back for a late Day-2 pick, he’d have to consider it at least.

However, don’t expect a deal like this — or any move for a running back — to happen anytime soon.

The pads will soon come on at Chicago Bears training camp. It’s when coaches can really assess their running back room, and D’Andre Swift is ready.

“Everything,” Swift said of what he wants to improve in 2025. “Especially when numbers ain’t where they should be statistically, even though scrimmage yards (79.1), that was the best of my career. But we won four or five games (5-12). Can’t sit up here and talk about anything positive. All of us have something to work on, something to get better at.”