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The 2026 offseason is in full swing, and it's another important one for the Chicago Bears, who are looking to get back to the postseason in head coach Ben Johnson's second season.
General manager Ryan Poles has some work to do to shore up key needs on the roster. After overhauling the offensive line last offseason, the focus shifts to the defensive line, which is the biggest concern, as well as safety and left tackle. But there's some work to be done with the salary cap before the start of the new league year as Chicago is currently a projected $4.11 million over the cap. After three straight years of top-10 picks, the Bears will have to wait to pick in the latter part of the first round (No. 25) in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Here at Bears Wire, we’re going position by position to break down where Chicago stands entering the 2026 offseason. Next up is running back, where D'Andre Swift had the best season of his career and a seventh-round rookie proved vital to the team's Top-3 rushing attack.
For the second straight offseason, there are questions about the future of D'Andre Swift on the Bears roster, but after a career-best season, there's not much reason to believe he won't stay around. The front office may look to rework his deal if they choose to keep him, but Swift proved himself very reliable in Ben Johnson's offense. Rushing for a career-high 1,087 yards and nine touchdowns, Swift reached many milestones for himself, while adding 34 receptions for 299 yards and one score as a receiver.
Kyle Monangai surprised the masses coming out of Rutgers as a seventh-round rookie, entering the season with a battle in front of him to not only crack the roster but the depth chart as well. It didn't take Monangai long to not only earn playing time but to establish himself as the perfect complement to Swift, with his powerful running style bringing a great opposite for Swift's elusive running style. Finishing off his rookie season with 783 rushing yards and five touchdowns, Monangai also played in all 17 games, establishing himself from the very first game of the season and seeing his usage pick up as the season progressed.
Roschon Johnson, a former fourth-round pick, has fallen out of favor in Chicago's backfield due to the emergence of Monangai last season. Johnson has struggled with injuries since arriving to the Bears in 2023, and it's because of that he is likely a cut candidate heading into this offseason.
Both Travis Homer and Brittain Brown served as depth pieces in Chicago's backfield, who have mainly found their opportunities on special teams. Homer has also been bit by the injury bug during his time in Chicago, but it would not be surprising to see either of these players wind up on new teams this offseason. Their losses to the Bears roster would not be monumental, or impactful at all, but it will force the front office to look for reinforcements behind Swift and Monangai, especially if the team also moves on from Johnson.
There likely won't be any big names at the running back position coming to the Bears this offseason, but veterans who provide depth and an ability to play special teams is likely their focus point. A few names come to mind that fit that category, including Dameon Pierce, Antonio Gibson, and Alexander Mattison, all of whom have shown an ability to play special teams and offer a change-of-pace play out of the backfield. If Chicago wanted to take a little bit of a bigger swing, Sean Tucker and Brian Robinson could also be options to come in, as both unfortunately have understood being in a timeshare backfield but have not yet put enough on their resume to crack the top of a roster just yet.
This will all hinder on what the Bears decide to do with veteran D'Andre Swift, and if they do move on from him, Chicago will put themselves in position where they need to make a splash on the open market or in a trade to bring in another top back. If they decide to keep Swift on the roster, which wouldn't be a shock at all, they've got their duo to lead their backfield with both him and Monangai. The Bears' rushing attack finished third in the NFL last season, which was also a big compliment to their offensive line. As it stands right now, Chicago will have to find depth behind their dynamic duo, and will have plenty of options to choose from.
This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Bears 2026 offseason preview: Where Chicago stands at running back
Continue reading...
General manager Ryan Poles has some work to do to shore up key needs on the roster. After overhauling the offensive line last offseason, the focus shifts to the defensive line, which is the biggest concern, as well as safety and left tackle. But there's some work to be done with the salary cap before the start of the new league year as Chicago is currently a projected $4.11 million over the cap. After three straight years of top-10 picks, the Bears will have to wait to pick in the latter part of the first round (No. 25) in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Here at Bears Wire, we’re going position by position to break down where Chicago stands entering the 2026 offseason. Next up is running back, where D'Andre Swift had the best season of his career and a seventh-round rookie proved vital to the team's Top-3 rushing attack.
Who's on the roster?
- D'Andre Swift
- Kyle Monangai
- Roschon Johnson
For the second straight offseason, there are questions about the future of D'Andre Swift on the Bears roster, but after a career-best season, there's not much reason to believe he won't stay around. The front office may look to rework his deal if they choose to keep him, but Swift proved himself very reliable in Ben Johnson's offense. Rushing for a career-high 1,087 yards and nine touchdowns, Swift reached many milestones for himself, while adding 34 receptions for 299 yards and one score as a receiver.
Kyle Monangai surprised the masses coming out of Rutgers as a seventh-round rookie, entering the season with a battle in front of him to not only crack the roster but the depth chart as well. It didn't take Monangai long to not only earn playing time but to establish himself as the perfect complement to Swift, with his powerful running style bringing a great opposite for Swift's elusive running style. Finishing off his rookie season with 783 rushing yards and five touchdowns, Monangai also played in all 17 games, establishing himself from the very first game of the season and seeing his usage pick up as the season progressed.
Roschon Johnson, a former fourth-round pick, has fallen out of favor in Chicago's backfield due to the emergence of Monangai last season. Johnson has struggled with injuries since arriving to the Bears in 2023, and it's because of that he is likely a cut candidate heading into this offseason.
Who's slated to hit free agency?
- Travis Homer
- Brittain Brown
Both Travis Homer and Brittain Brown served as depth pieces in Chicago's backfield, who have mainly found their opportunities on special teams. Homer has also been bit by the injury bug during his time in Chicago, but it would not be surprising to see either of these players wind up on new teams this offseason. Their losses to the Bears roster would not be monumental, or impactful at all, but it will force the front office to look for reinforcements behind Swift and Monangai, especially if the team also moves on from Johnson.
Who might join the Bears?
There likely won't be any big names at the running back position coming to the Bears this offseason, but veterans who provide depth and an ability to play special teams is likely their focus point. A few names come to mind that fit that category, including Dameon Pierce, Antonio Gibson, and Alexander Mattison, all of whom have shown an ability to play special teams and offer a change-of-pace play out of the backfield. If Chicago wanted to take a little bit of a bigger swing, Sean Tucker and Brian Robinson could also be options to come in, as both unfortunately have understood being in a timeshare backfield but have not yet put enough on their resume to crack the top of a roster just yet.
Position need: Low
This will all hinder on what the Bears decide to do with veteran D'Andre Swift, and if they do move on from him, Chicago will put themselves in position where they need to make a splash on the open market or in a trade to bring in another top back. If they decide to keep Swift on the roster, which wouldn't be a shock at all, they've got their duo to lead their backfield with both him and Monangai. The Bears' rushing attack finished third in the NFL last season, which was also a big compliment to their offensive line. As it stands right now, Chicago will have to find depth behind their dynamic duo, and will have plenty of options to choose from.
This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Bears 2026 offseason preview: Where Chicago stands at running back
Continue reading...
