The identity of the Chicago Bears shifted significantly following the conclusion of the 2025 season. Once a team searching for offensive consistency, the organization transformed into one of the league's premier rushing juggernauts. Achieving an average of 144.5 rushing yards per game and 4.9 yards per carry did not happen by accident; it was the result of a perfectly timed confluence of scheme, offensive line development, and a backfield that outperformed its collective draft pedigree. As the 2026 offseason progresses, the focus on the bears running backs room centers on sustainability, financial efficiency, and a looming transition at the top of the depth chart.

The D'Andre Swift Dilemma

D'Andre Swift enters the final year of his three-year contract in 2026 as a player who has arguably silenced his doubters while simultaneously creating a complex salary cap situation. In 2025, Swift achieved career highs with 1,087 rushing yards and nine touchdowns. More importantly, he demonstrated a willingness to embrace the physical mentality demanded by offensive coordinator Ben Johnson. Historically viewed as a space-dependent playmaker, Swift evolved into a runner capable of finding tough yardage between the tackles, benefitting from the heavy use of misdirection and tight end movement within the Bears' current scheme.

However, professional football is as much about accounting as it is about athletics. Swift is projected to carry a cap hit of approximately $8.8 million in 2026. While he was the engine of a top-three rushing attack, the presence of a low-cost, high-production alternative makes his roster spot a subject of internal debate. If the front office chooses to move on, they would face only a $1.3 million dead cap hit, potentially freeing up significant resources for other defensive or offensive line needs. The decision on Swift will dictate whether the Bears prioritize veteran stability or pivot fully to a younger, cheaper core.

The Emergence of Kyle Monangai

Few stories in the 2025 NFL season were as compelling as the rise of Kyle Monangai. Selected in the seventh round out of Rutgers, Monangai was initially viewed as a depth piece or a special teams contributor. By the end of his rookie campaign, he had solidified himself as one of the most efficient runners in the league, finishing with 783 rushing yards and an impressive 4.6 yards per carry.

Monangai’s style is the antithesis of Swift’s finesse. He is a "rugged" runner who excels in short-yardage situations and exhibits high-level contact balance. His ability to finish eighth all-time among Bears rookie running backs in total yardage is a testament to his durability and the scheme's fit. Within Ben Johnson’s system, Monangai has proven that he can handle a significant workload without a drop-off in efficiency. For a front office looking to maximize value, having a potential starter on a seventh-round rookie contract is the ultimate luxury. Whether he is ready to take the full "bell-cow" role in 2026 is the primary question facing the coaching staff.

Depth Chart Stability and Roschon Johnson

While the Swift and Monangai duo took the lion's share of headlines, the broader bears running backs room faces questions regarding health and specialized roles. Roschon Johnson, who ended the 2025 season on injured reserve, remains a vital piece of the puzzle. The Bears view Johnson not just as a rotational runner, but as a core special teams player and a reliable pass protector. His size (6-0, 227 lbs) offers a different physical profile than Swift or Monangai, making him an ideal candidate for third-down and blitz pickup duties.

The recovery of Johnson is crucial for backfield depth. In a 17-game season, the attrition rate for ball carriers is notoriously high. Behind the primary duo, the team also possesses Deion Hankins and Brittain Brown, though their roles have been limited largely to reserve duties and practice squad elevation. The potential departure of veteran Travis Homer in free agency further underscores the need for the Bears to either address the position in the upcoming draft or find a cost-effective veteran who can replicate Homer’s special teams value.

The Ben Johnson Effect and Coaching Transitions

Any analysis of the bears running backs must account for the tactical brilliance of the offensive coaching staff. Ben Johnson’s arrival and his subsequent decision to remain in Chicago has provided the rushing attack with a sophisticated blueprint. The system utilizes creative line-of-scrimmage shifts and leverages the mobility of quarterback Caleb Williams (who added 388 rushing yards in 2025) to freeze linebackers and create lanes.

A significant hurdle for the 2026 season, however, is the vacancy at the running backs coach position. Eric Bieniemy’s departure to return to the Kansas City Chiefs as offensive coordinator leaves a void in terms of technical leadership and accountability. Bieniemy was credited with instilling a "no-nonsense" approach that helped Swift reach his career peak. The incoming coach will need to maintain this standard of detail while managing the personalities of a backfield that might see a shift in hierarchy.

2026 Draft Strategy and Future Outlook

Given that D'Andre Swift is in a contract year and the team is always looking to get younger and more explosive, it is highly probable that the Bears will target a running back in the middle rounds of the 2026 NFL Draft. This would follow the successful blueprint established with the Monangai selection. Bringing in a fresh set of legs allows the team to maintain a committee approach, which has proven to be the most effective way to keep runners fresh for a postseason push.

The philosophy in Chicago has shifted toward "running angry." Whether the player is a high-priced veteran or a late-round rookie, the requirement is clear: physical finishes and decisive cuts. The offensive line has developed into an elite unit, which lowers the barrier of entry for new runners but increases the expectation for production.

As the team prepares for the upcoming season, the bears running backs remain the heartbeat of the offense. The balance between Swift’s explosive playmaking and Monangai’s relentless efficiency provides a dual-threat that most NFL defenses struggled to contain in 2025. Maintaining this balance while navigating the salary cap will be the defining challenge for the front office in the coming months. If the Bears can successfully transition their backfield without losing the identity of "bullying" their way down the field, they will remain the most feared rushing attack in the NFC North.