Through the first four games of the season, the Chicago Bears have averaged a pedestrian 102.3 rushing yards per game. However, that number drops to just 74.8 when you take Caleb Williams and his 27.5 rushing yards per game out of the equation.
Williams is the team's second-leading rusher at 110 yards, with D'Andre Swift leading the way, so to speak, with 187. However, as inefficient as the veteran back has been, coach Ben Johnson won't throw him under the bus.
Ben Johnson Won't Blame D'Andre Swift For Running Game's Struggles
"Our guys are going to be fine," Johnson told the media. "It's not always the runners. It's everybody. It's the quarterback carrying out his fake, it's the receivers blocking down the field, it's the tight ends doing their job and the same thing with the offensive line. I think there's a lot of times on that tape we're not giving our runners a chance. I think we're going to be fine there."
Swift is averaging just 3.3 yards per carry, and he's scored two rushing touchdowns. His rookie backup, Kyle Monangai, has been marginally better at 3.6 yards per carry, and at times, he's looked more than worthy of a bigger role.
Notably, those are the only two Bears running backs logging carries so far, as they have yet to feature Roschon Johnson and Travis Homer has yet to return from Injured Reserve (IR). Other than them, WRs D.J. Moore (6), Olamide Zaccaheus (2), and Luther Burden III (1), and QB Tyler Bagent (2) have gotten touches out of the backfield.
Johnson's Detroit Lions often took pride in pounding the rock and running the ball down the opposition's throats, but that hasn't been the case in the Windy City. Granted, just like the head coach said, it takes a collective effort, and the offensive line also needs to do a better job of blocking and creating lanes.
Then again, it's not like Swift has ever been a true workhorse or dominant running back, so this might be closer to his ceiling at this point in his career. That's why, even when Johnson and Homer get a chance, the Bears should still consider making a move.
De'Von Achane, Breece Hall, Alvin Kamara, or perhaps a lesser name like Kareem Hunt could be up for grabs as we approach the trade deadline, and Johnson won't be able to defend Swift for much longer if he doesn't turn the corner soon.