Tashard Choice knows a thing or two about playing running back at a high level. He was a standout at Georgia Tech in college, which helped him become a 4th round pick of the Dallas Cowboys in 2008. His productive rookie season helped them to a winning record. Then he scored a touchdown in their first postseason victory in over a decade the next season. Choice played in the league for nine years before transitioning to coaching. His work led him to become the running backs coach at Texas in 2022. That is where he became acquainted with Roschon Johnson.
While Bijan Robinson was the star of the show with the Longhorns, it didn’t take Choice long to realize Johnson was the true leader of that running back room. He explained this to Parkins & Spiegel on 670 The Score. What separates the Chicago Bears’ 4th round pick from others is his unselfishness. He will do literally anything necessary to help his team win. That includes working on special teams and even blocking for his fellow running backs. Make no mistake, though. Johnson can run that football, and Choice declared a strong belief he’ll be the big dog in Chicago not too long from now.
Roschon Johnson feels like the Bears’ possible long-term plan.
They likely didn’t have big designs on drafting a running back. There were other areas of need to address. However, by the 4th round, GM Ryan Poles was stunned Johnson was still available. He couldn’t ignore the value on his board any longer. So the Bears took him. While the young running back was elated to get selected, he was also angry. After working so hard in college and showing he could be the guy in almost any other program, it felt like a personal slight that teams passed on him so many times.
Now the Bears have insurance. D’Onta Foreman is operating on a one-year deal. Khalil Herbert will enter the last season of his rookie contract in 2024. Having Roschon Johnson in the fold gives the organization some leverage if Herbert seeks a significant pay raise after this season. One thing is certain. Johnson is the most versatile player they have in the backfield. While his running ability is on par with Foreman, it’s his receiving prowess and pass protection that set him apart. This could be what elevates him to the starting job.
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If what they say of Roschon is true then he reminds me of a great bigger than life running back the Bears drafted back in 1975 in #34 Walter Payton. Sweetness could do it all: run, block, catch and even stepped in at QB. One could only hope Roschon is of the same mold.
Fans are funny. Last year Monty wasnt a good fit for this offense…now we draft Monty 2.0 same issue not explosive and yall saying its a great pick and dudes gonna be a star? I swear you all only parrot the media and never have a thought of your own.
I’ve worried about the RB blocking and receiving since Monty left. I think this kid might fill that bill. How is his YAC?
roschon makes me feel like we got a younger david montgomery but his ceiling is going to be higher than his. He can do exactly what montgomery did in run catch pass block. I wont be surprised if he takes over starter rep pretty soon into the season
How can anyone who watches football at all say this kid is not a good choice in the round he was selected? That comment is going to make them feel silly when he is the starter by the end of the year