Throughout the first five weeks of the regular season, Chicago Bears fans haven’t been pleased with the performance of the team’s ground game. Heading into Week 6, Chicago is ranked 24th in rushing offense (102.3 yards per game) and 26th in rushing yards per attempt (3.8).
Veteran D’Andre Swift has received the huge bulk of the workload to start the season, rushing for 187 yards and two touchdowns on 56 carries, which only amounts to a career-low 3.3 yards per carry. Based on that production, Bears fans have been thinking about various RBs the team could trade for ahead of the deadline next month.
However, Bears head coach Ben Johnson has his own thoughts on the team’s ground attack and where it can improve (h/t CHGO Bears).
"It’s hard to evaluate any of our backs right now when you turn on the tape and there are some free runners in the hole where the play is designed to go. I take it personally because I actually spend more time on the run game than I do on the passing game. Not only trying to create explosives in the running game but being sound."Bears HC Ben Johnson
D’Andre Swift Still Has a Chance to Prove Himself Heading into Week 6
Based on Johnson’s comments, it sounds like he isn’t ready to make a definitive decision on the running back room as a whole yet, which is great news for Swift, who can cement himself as the guy over these next few weeks.
In the offseason, some fans believed the writing was on the wall for Swift after the Bears used a draft pick on Kevin Monangai, who was a seventh-round selection. However, that hasn’t been the case thus far through the first five weeks of the season.
Swift leads Chicago in touches (carries and receptions) with 69, while the rookie running back only has 20. And not to mention, Swift has played 66.41% of offensive snaps, while Monangai has only suited up for 27.86% of snaps.
Coming out of the bye week, the Bears’ offense has a good opportunity to establish the ground game with Swift against the Washington Commanders on Monday. This season, Washington is ranked 17th in opponent rushing yards per game (117.0) and 10th in opponent yards per rush attempt (4.0).
The Commanders’ defense gave up 155 rushing yards last week to the Los Angeles Chargers, but 60 of those came from QB Justin Herbert. The Bears have a better offensive line than LA, so one hopes they can get a push on the Commanders’ d-line and open things for Swift to get to the second level.
The NFL trade deadline is basically a month away, so the pressure is on for Swift to show the team that he can be their guy. If he does it, that will be. But if he doesn’t prove himself, Chicago will be forced to make a decision depending on what their record is in the coming weeks.