Heading into the NFL Draft last week, many Chicago Bears predicted the team would draft a running back within the first three rounds to pair with D'Andre Swift. Unfortunately, reports point to players the Bears targeted getting selected right before their pick. As a result, Chicago ended up drafting Rutgers running back Kyle Monangai in the seventh round.
Following the pick, fans immediately suggested the Bears must add a veteran running back alongside Swift and Monangal. The two most popular names brought up were former Los Angeles Chargers running back J.K. Dobbins (26) and former Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb (29).
Earlier in the week, it was even hinted at by Ken Carman of 92.3 the Fan in Cleveland that a mystery NFC North team had interest in Chubb. On Wednesday, Carman confirmed that the NFC North team that has interest in Chubb is the Chicago Bears.
Carman said, "The Browns want to bring Nick Chubb back. They are trying hard to bring Nick back. I know this. I also know the Bears are very serious about bringing him in and are trying to make this push."
Bears are Reportedly Highly Interested in Bringing in Nick Chubb
Chicago's interest in Chubb shouldn't come as a surprise for many reasons. Head coach Ben Johnson is surely aware that the running back room, the way it is constructed now, likely won't produce what the Bears need in 2025. Though Monangal provides some power out of the backfield, some analysts question how much of a workload he can take in the NFL.
Furthermore, in theory, signing Chubb would give Johnson a more souped-up version of David Montgomery. Everyone saw what Montgomery was able to do with Johnson as the play caller for the Lions, so that has the potential to be exciting.
However, the 29-year-old is coming off back-to-back seasons with injuries to his legs. In 2023, Chubb tore three ligaments in his knee (ACL, MCL, and meniscus). This injury kept him out of the first six weeks of 2024. Then, after playing eight games, he broke his foot.
These injuries, along with his age, are reasons to be skeptical about bringing Chubb in. Nevertheless, if the Bears are pushing for him, they must not see a drop-off coming with his age and feel comfortable with his medicals.
If that's the case, while fans may remain skeptical, they should also allow some excitement to creep in with the possibilities for Chubb's role in a Ben Johnson offense.