Bears admit they need more explosive runs on the ground as Ben Johnson eyes an even more aggressive rushing attack in Year 2
The Chicago Bears fielded one of the league’s top rushing attacks in the first year under head coach Ben Johnson, but the team believes they can reach an even higher ceiling in Year 2 under this offense.
The Chicago Bears offense under Ben Johnson has generated plenty of buzz going into the 2026 season around Caleb Williams and the weapons in the passing game, but the backbone of Johnson’s system remains the run game.
Everything the Bears do on offense starts up front, and Johnson has made that philosophy clear dating back to his time as the play-caller in Detroit.
“I suppose I did that to a degree in Detroit as well — but it’s just one voice,” Johnson said. “It’s important to me and I love the thought of us as a whole unit, everyone’s hearing it together, how important the wideouts are to the success of the play, where we need them, how important the quarterback is in terms of his fake and the ball handling in order for it all to work together. Then, of course, the magic really starts with the offensive line.”
Johnson takes great pride in weaponizing his offensive line and building his offense off a strong, dominant ground attack. That approach paid dividends during his first season in Chicago. The Bears controlled the line of scrimmage and, despite a slow start, finished last season as the NFC’s leading rushing offense. Running backs D’Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai formed one of the better one-two punches in the NFL, arguably the best.
So how does Chicago’s run game get better in Year 2?
The Bears are eying more than just efficiency in the run game
While most teams define a successful run game through efficiency metrics that help the offense stay ahead of the sticks and maintain strong yards-per-carry averages, the Bears have a different standard. Chicago wants to hit more explosives on the ground, mirroring the same aggressive mentality Johnson applies to the passing game.
“I don’t think Ben has ever mentioned the word efficiency. We talk about explosive. We are trying to attack a defense,” offensive coordinator Press Taylor told reporters. “I think there’s a perception of a lot of people, we’re gonna run the ball, we’re gonna stay efficient and control the clock. We are looking to attack the defense, we are looking to attack fronts, to expose space, to create run lanes, to create explosives and we don’t look at the run game as a way to stay on track. We look at the run game as a way to attack defenses and really be explosive and continue to just put our foot on the gas the entire game.”
Efficiency-wise, the Bears were one of the top rushing attacks in football. Chicago ranked third in the NFL averaging 4.9 yards per carry and first in EPA per attempt (0.10). But, Taylor made it clear Johnson and this staff are looking to see more explosive runs than efficient ones, and that’s where the Bears’ two backs can strive get better.
D’Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai recognize the areas they can improve in 2026
Swift had one of the best statistical seasons of his career after reuniting with Johnson, setting career-highs across the board. Still, he and the coaching staff still believe there was more left on the table, particularly when it comes to hitting more explosive plays that can break the game open for the offense.
“There’s a lot more out there for me and I know that,” Swift explained Tuesday. “Only thing I will say I was missing last year that I need to do a better job of is I need more explosive runs, longer runs. I need to showcase that a little bit more.”
The numbers back that up. Among qualified rushers, Swift ranked 22nd in yards after contact per attempt with Monangai right behind him at 23rd. However, Swift ranked inside the Top-10 with 30 carries of 10+ yards. He’s got the home run ability, it’s just finding the next step to hit those home runs more consistently and do more after contact.
“My speed is there,” Swift added. “I wouldn’t say it’s that. Just create more space for myself and just being on top of that. When I do get in space, just making the most out of my opportunities when I do get into space.”
Monangai shared similar goals when reflecting back on his promising rookie season, during which he averaged 4.6 yards per attempt, but only had 15 explosive runs.
“Speaking with coaches and just doing self reflection, I think I did some good things last year but it’s nowhere where I want to be, for sure,” Monangai said Wednesday. “… Just building off the little things. It always comes back to that… That’s where the big gains and big improvements come from.”
Onus is on Chicago’s backs to get this run game to the next level Ben Johnson wants to reach
The Bears know what they have in their offensive line, and they know the run game’s foundation is strong. The next step is asking more from the backs themselves. The staff expects Swift and Monangai to be more consistent home-run hitters this upcoming season and it’s something both players are well aware of.
If both backs can improve their yards-after-contact numbers and the Bears can generate more explosives on the ground, this offense has the potential to be significantly more dangerous in Ben Johnson’s second season. And that’s not even talking about what Caleb Williams and all the weapons can look to do in the passing game.
