The most surprising fact about the Chicago Bears this summer is not their high ranking, but how quickly their depth could vanish. The team finished third in the entire NFL last year with 2,456 rushing yards, yet that success now hangs by a thread. D’Andre Swift left Thursday’s padded practice holding his left side, and there was no official word from the team on his departure. Just days earlier, Kyle Monangai got hurt during practice on Aug. 16 and is now listed as week-to-week with a leg injury. This leaves the Monsters of the Midway staring down a potential collapse in the run game before the season even starts.
A Run Game Built on Trust
Under new coach Ben Johnson, the Bears found their identity on the ground. They averaged 4.9 yards per attempt, a number that ranks near the top of the league. Swift ran for a career-best 1,087 yards along with nine touchdowns to aid in constructing that foundation. After being selected in the seventh round of the draft, Monangai completed his unexpected debut season with 783 yards and five TDs. These two players carried the load, but their sudden absence changes the entire math for the offense. The team has to find a way to keep the ball moving without their primary weapons.
According to SFGATE, the coaching staff has been watching Roschon Johnson closely as the situation develops. “I think Roschon is a guy that really had a great finish to camp here, somebody that earned a lot of trust through the last couple,” the staff noted regarding his recent performance. This trust was not given lightly. As Kyle’s role diminishes while Roschon’s stats rise and he receives more chances, he demonstrated his trustworthiness to us. That quote highlights a shift in the roster that many fans might have missed during the early weeks of camp.
Who Steps Up When Stars Fall
Beyond Swift and Monangai, the Bears also have Roschon Johnson, Salvon Ahmed and Zavier Scott at running back. Johnson remains on the 53-man roster, whereas Ahmed and Scott comprise the practice squad. Since being chosen in the fourth round of the 2023 draft out of Texas, the 25-year-old Johnson has failed to establish himself with Chicago. His history is mixed. Johnson gained 352 yards and two TDs as a rookie, scored six times during the 2024 season, yet managed only 17 yards on two carries across seven games last year. Those small numbers do not inspire confidence, yet he may be the only option left.
The depth chart looks thin, and the timeline is tight. On Sept. 13, the Bears travel to face the Carolina Panthers for their season opener. That is not far away. The staff will need to make decisions fast. “We’ll continue to see as Sav gets healthier and Zavier gets here and starts to learn schemes,” the team said regarding the future plan. This admission shows they are still figuring out the pieces. The hot and muggy conditions on the field did not help matters, as Swift departed with a trainer after a nice run that turned sour.
The path to a third consecutive top-three rushing rank looks steep. If Swift and Monangai cannot play, the Bears must rely on a player who had only 17 yards on two carries last year. It is a risky bet for a team that needs to win now. The hope for the Caleb Williams era depends on a ground game that can protect the quarterback.
