Something isn’t working with the Chicago Bears’ running game. It is a mix of issues. The offensive line is missing too many blocks. Defenses are stacking the line of scrimmage, hoping to force Caleb Williams into throwing the ball. However, the reality is their running backs aren’t doing a great job of finding the lanes available. D’Andre Swift is especially guilty of this. He is averaging just 1.8 yards per carry through three games. Tracking data says he should be at 4.18 yards. This is a big reason why many have called for Roschon Johnson to get more of the load.
The former 4th round pick may not have the same explosiveness as Swift, but he believes he is every bit as good of a running back. He made that evident to Courtney Cronin of ESPN, hinting he is more physical and has better vision.
“I think I bring a physical style, but also a style that can make one or two miss in a subtle way. Nothing really too flashy, but something that’s real physical, downhill, someone that can make the right decisions.”
He’s not lying. Johnson is averaging 1.4 yards after contact. Swift is 0.9. While not great, his 3.8 yards per carry is significantly better than Swift’s 1.8. It isn’t always about speed and athleticism with running backs. Vision and contact balance mean far more. Johnson has both.
Roschon Johnson is ready for this opportunity.
He’s been trapped behind “more talented” running backs for most of his career. It was Bijan Robinson at Texas. Then, last year, it was Khalil Herbert and D’Onta Foreman. All the while, he kept producing when given the opportunity. The Bears seem to think it is time they gave him a heavier workload. The timing couldn’t be better. Los Angeles is 31st in the NFL against the run. Strong backs like David Montgomery and James Conner have given them problems. They may try stacking the box, but their pass defense is also 29th. Chicago gets Keenan Allen back for this game.
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Everything lines up for Roschon Johnson to have a coming-out party. His bruising style is exactly what the Rams have struggled against. He even presents a challenge in the passing game for his blocking and underrated pass-catching skills. The Bears drafted him in the 4th round for a reason. It is finally time to show everybody why.
“Roschon” against Texans, not Bijan. Shame on SM auto-software again.
Writer, I skimmed a post earlier stating our 3 opponents were stacking 7, 8, 9 in the box against us. Now I just skimmed our RB can’t find the lanes. Swift is not a “lower your shoulder” type RB. That is not his game at all. He is a one cut, make you miss type. He likes jumping over tacklers, and avoids contact. I’m not sure I can fault him for that, as the RB position has been devalued, and he will prolong his career with his playing style. He sits down in the underneath very well, has a good… Read more »
I supported Bijan and Roschon well before their 2023 draft. I stated all week long before the Houston game that Bijan needed to play against the Texans. He did not, so the Bears deserved to lose that game, just due to their sheer ignorance. I bet those Steelers would have worked him hard in that game: running, catching, and blocking for Caleb. And I have always been a big Herbert fan too.
Erik — You just have to protect every dumb-ass move that Ryan Poles makes, don’t you? To compare the failure-to-date that is D’Andre Swift with the two RBs who have had such a limited amount of snaps illustrates what a boot-licker looks like. And it’s you. D’Andre Swift will eventually come around to be the player he is: — an overpaid RB that Bears fans can’t even remember from his time with the Lions. His claim to fame with Chicago will be $24 MM for three years of this! Some say Ryan Poles is an inept judge of NFL talent,… Read more »