Despite boasting the league's third-best rushing attack and a prolific dual-threat backfield, analysts remain skeptical of the Chicago Bears' running backs.
The Chicago Bears were one of the best teams at running the football last season.
Under first-year coach Ben Johnson, running backs D'Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai flourished, helping the team finish with the third-most yards on the ground (2,456).
With elite offensive line play and Johnson's play calling, Chicago's running back room was one of the Bears' greatest strengths throughout the 2025 season. Another year in Johnson's offense should allow the O-line and running backs to build off what they accomplished last season.
The Sharp Football Staff for Sharp Football Analysis ranked the running back rooms for all 32 NFL teams, using stats, film and projections. Chicago finished 18th.
"Chicago’s running backs improved dramatically to 18th from 27th. D’Andre Swift provided solid production in 2025, topping 1,000 yards for the second time in his career. Backup Kyle Monangai added nearly 800 yards of his own and averaged 4.6 yards per carry."
The Bears are far too low on the list.
Chicago was the only team in the NFL to have two running backs finish in the top 25 of rushing yards last season. Swift was 12th with his 1,087 rushing yards and Monangai added 783 yards (24th). They combined for 1,870 rushing yards.
Only two running back duos ran for more yards than Swift and Monangai -- the Los Angeles Rams and Detroit Lions. Rams running backs Kyren Williams and Blake Corum combined for 1,998 yards, with Williams finishing sixth in the NFL (1,252 yards), and Corum ranking 27th (746 yards).
Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery combined for 1,939 yards for the Detroit Lions, but Montgomery was traded to the Houston Texans this offseason. The Lions replaced him with former Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco, and it wouldn't be surprising to see the veteran have success behind Detroit's O-line.
Johnson will lean on the run game this season, which should give Swift and Monangai plenty of opportunities. The Bears' offensive line will have a new center in Garrett Bradbury, but the unit still has two All-Pros in left guard Joe Thuney and right tackle Darnell Wright. Right guard Jonah Jackson also played at a high level last season.
Where the Bears' running back room needs to show improvement is in the passing game. Swift and Monangai accounted for just 463 receiving yards and one touchdown on 52 receptions.
Johnson has acknowledged that Swift can contribute more in the passing game and the same can be said for Monangai.
The Bears' running back duo deserves more respect. Another year in Johnson's offense should validate the group's explosiveness and overall ranking among the the NFL's best.
