Bears have decisions to make with running backs

Now that the Bears are entering the offseason, it’s time to evaluate how each position group did over the past season and start looking ahead.

Here’s a look at the running back room.

Running backs

Returning players: D’Andre Swift, Kyle Monangai, Roschon Johnson, Deion Hankins, Brittain Brown

Free agent: Travis Homer

Looking back: Poles faced questions heading into the season about whether he did enough to improve the running back room. The unit proved it had the talent, becoming one of the best rushing groups in the NFL.

The Bears decided to keep Swift, draft Monangai in the seventh round and rely on offensive line and coaching additions to fix the running game. Ben Johnson incorporated a running game that involved misdirection and tight end movement to create open lanes. The offensive line also developed into one of the best groups in the league.

That resulted in a dominant rushing attack. Chicago averaged 144.5 rushing yards per game and 4.9 per carry, both third in the NFL. The Bears’ running attack quickly became the team’s identity as they took over games by bullying their way down the field.

Swift had himself a career year after many wondered whether he’d be on the Bears roster at the start of the season. He rushed for career-highs of 1,087 rushing yards and nine touchdowns. Swift also proved he doesn’t only need space to make an impact. He embraced Ben Johnson’s physical mentality and put together tough runs throughout the year.

Monangai proved to be a steal in the draft. He finished fifth among rookies with 783 rushing yards and averaged 4.6 yards per carry, sixth among rookies. Monangai finished eighth all-time among Bears rookie running backs in rushing yards with his rugged running style.

Swift and Monangai were the primary rushers this season, as they mostly stayed on the field and became one of the best running back duos in the NFL. Quarterback Caleb Williams finished third with 388 rushing yards, while wide receivers DJ Moore and Luther Burden III had 79 and 37, respectively. Brown had five carries for 37 yards, while Roschon Johnson had two carries for 17 yards.

What’s next: The Bears will need to make decisions with their running back room. Will they keep things status quo after a great season? Or will they make some tough roster choices to clear up salary cap space for other roster additions?

Once again, those questions center on Swift. He’ll enter the final year of his three-year contract with a roughly $8.8 million cap hit, which is 14th on the Bears roster according to Spotrac. Swift would have a $1.3 million dead cap hit.

Ben Johnson and Poles praised Swift for much of the season. He embraced Ben Johnson’s offense and was a key to success. But after Monangai’s breakout season, the Bears might decide to get rid of Swift’s contract and fill the spot by again drafting a running back.

Chicago will likely draft a running back even if Poles and Ben Johnson decide to keep Swift, since he’ll be on the final year of his contract.

Johnson ended the season on injured reserve but should be back because the Bears view him as an important special teams player. The Bears might want to bring back Homer for the same reason.

The Bears also need to hire a new running backs coach. Eric Bieniemy left the team after one season to return to the Kansas City Chiefs as their offensive coordinator.