The Chicago Bears running game had an up-and-down season under head coach Ben Johnson in Year 1.
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The Bears backfield looked unstoppable after rushing for 281 yards and two touchdowns in their win over the Philadelphia Eagles on Black Friday. However, Chicago rushed for fewer than 100 yards in their outing against the Detroit Lions in Week 18 and against the Green Bay Packers in the wild-card round.
Johnson wanted to get the running game going in the Divisional Round. The Bears put up 160 yards against the Los Angeles Rams, but the team was unable to convert on short-yardage downs via the running game.
Tony Pauline of Essentially Sports is reporting that the Bears are expected to make a run for Jacksonville Jaguars running back Travis Etienne Jr. during the offseason.
“Etienne, who was a main cog in the Jaguars’ offense as a ball carrier, pass catcher, and blocker, is set for free agency unless Jacksonville can find a way to re-sign him, but the team is expected to be cash-strapped heading into the offseason,” Pauline wrote.
“League insiders have long believed the Chicago Bears will be suitors for Etienne if he hits free agency. This is despite having a solid 1-2 punch with D’Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai. Swift has one year remaining on his deal, though the Bears can opt out, and Monangai is just a second-year player.”
Chicago Bears: Travis Etienne Jr. or D’Andre Swift
Jacksonville Jaguars running back Travis Etienne Jr. (1) walks off the field after losing to the Bills during an NFL football AFC Wild Card playoff matchup, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, in Jacksonville, Fla. Bills lead 10-7 at the half over the Jaguars. The Bills defeated the Jaguars 27-24. [Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union]More News: Bears HC gives clue on potential DJ Moore trade
Swift rushed for 1,087 yards and nine touchdowns in 2025. Monangai finished with 783 yards and five touchdowns in his rookie campaign.
Both backs fair better in the run game than the passing attack. Swift finished with 299 yards receiving with one touchdown. Monangai finished with 18 receptions for 164 yards.
Etienne, a first-round pick by the Jags in 2021, finished with 1,107 yards rushing and seven touchdowns. He added 292 receiving yards and six touchdowns.
Etienne might be more useful in Chicago than Swift if they want to feature their running back as a target around the goal line, something that would have been useful in the Bears’ contest against the Rams.
Johnson used Jahmyr Gibbs as a passing target often with the Detroit Lions. He recorded 517 receiving yards and four touchdowns in 2024.
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