The Chicago Bears were 28th in rushing last season. Many factors went into that. A big part was poor blocking up front, which GM Ryan Poles aims to fix over the next two months. However, issues at running back also played a key part. D’Andre Swift had some good moments, but he didn’t have the vision or tackle-breaking ability to handle a full-time role at the position. It stands to reason the team may go hunting for an upgrade, and Ashton Jeanty is the first name bound to come up.
One can understand why. The Heisman runner-up set records in 2024, posting 2,601 rushing yards and 29 touchdowns. Good for second and seventh all-time, respectively, in a single season. Many feel he is the kind of special talent who will go early in the 1st round. Jeanty was asked about that prospect on the Fantasy Football Happy Hour. He admitted the likelihood is low because running backs tend not to go that high, but he admitted he’d love it and appears to have a specific team in mind.
Keep in mind Ashton Jeanty wasn’t prompted to say that.
At no point during the question did the hosts mention the Bears. They only said top 10. The running back said Chicago is entirely of his own choice, which tells you he has a serious interest in joining them. It makes you wonder if he’s been doing his research about potential teams who may be interested in running backs. Or it could be he wants to join the organization for other reasons. The prospect of playing with Caleb Williams is certainly one. Both played out west. Jeanty was no doubt aware of the eventual #1 pick’s rise to stardom.
Then there is the presence of Ben Johnson.
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Chicago’s new head coach has a reputation for heavily incorporating the run game into his offense, often to great success. Detroit ranked 5th and 6th in rushing over his final two seasons there. That was with David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs as his backs. One can imagine what he might accomplish with Ashton Jeanty as his lead option. Many have compared him to LaDainian Tomlinson. The Bears have a storied history at running back with names like Gale Sayers and Walter Payton.
@BearDownTX I suppose the point I’m trying to make is that you don’t typically find two elite offensive guards in free agency, and certainly not in the same off-season. If the biggest need is at the offensive guard position, then fixing that problem — really FIXING it — is going to require a real, serious allocation of resources. If QB1 can excel without a pocket that’s clean enough to eat off of, then I would ask why CHI just put up a 5-13 record despite it being the quote-unquote best situation a rookie QB1 had ever walked into. When Poles… Read more »
Letting need dictate your draft is a sure fire way to pass on very good players and get someone lesser. All year we’ve heard how thin this draft is for the OLine. What’s changed? Teams needs. Not saying that nobody could improve to top 10 pick but you have to be careful. Carter as edge from PSU or Will Johnson CB from Michigan make it to 10, it would be hard for me to pass on either of them. Never forget that each draft gets several QB’s over drafted so the possibility of someone like Graham DT from Mich or… Read more »
I thought the same thing, Kris, although I probably am wrong
I may be wrong, but I really don’t see anything that resembles Gibbs or Beast Mode (the other comp I’ve seen) when I watched this kids highlights. Not special enough for top 10 pick imho
Heart versus Head, IMO. I would love an elite RB, but our first-round pick needs to be in the trenches this year.