Chicago Bears running backs Roschon Johnson and Salvon Ahmed are both fighting for a spot on the 53-man roster. What will determine who wins the third running back spot?
The preseason is vital for players fighting to make a 53-man roster.
These exhibition games and training camp practices help identify the depth pieces that make up a team. For Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson's team, there is an intriguing battle taking place for the third running back spot behind D'Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai.
Roschon Johnson and Salvon Ahmed are making their case to earn that role.
In the 34-10 blowout victory over the Cleveland Browns at Soldier Field on Saturday, Johnson started the game as the primary running back. The 6-foot, 227-pound playmaker finished with eight carries for 34 yards, highlighted by a team-high 19-yard gain that occurred on Chicago's opening touchdown drive. He also caught one pass for three yards.
Ahmed ended with 17 yards rushing on two attempts. He also caught three passes for 55 yards, including an explosive 55-yard touchdown reception on a screen pass to start the third quarter. The 5-foot-11, 196-pound back followed his blocks and made a move inside to distance himself from the Browns' defenders.
Ben Johnson highlighted the details were important in making that screen play happen, pointing to specific landmarks that needed to be hit. The Bears' head coach also credited Chicago's defense for making it difficult to execute screens in practice.
Ahmed and Johnson both displayed their skill sets on Saturday. But what will be the separator to determine who could land the third and potentially final running back spot on the 53-man roster?
“We feel good about those top two backs right now and where they're at," Ben Johnson said. "So, the battle for three, four, five, whatever that looks like, a lot comes down to special teams. A lot comes down to how do you separate yourself from those top two guys? What's your skillset? How's it different? He's [Ahmed] got that slashing mentality where he's hard to bring down in space, and that showed up again today. Showed up in practice really throughout camp so far. ..."
Ben Johnson also mentioned that the team will find a role for him on special teams, something he hasn't done much in his NFL career. Pass protection is also vital. Ahmed is a smaller running back, so the team will focus how he improves in that area of his game and holds up against blitzing linebackers.
Ahmed's pass-catching ability could separate him from Swift and Monangai, but Johnson has more special teams experience. Since 2023, Johnson has 386 special teams snaps, while Ahmed has played 110 snaps on the third phase since 2020.
This running back competition is far from over, making every remaining practice and the final two preseason games critical in determining who secures a spot on the 53-man roster.
