Other players the Bears could consider adding to the running back room ahead of training camp after potentially missing out on Nick Chubb
The Chicago Bears suffered a free agent blow on Monday with running back Nick Chubb expected to join the Houston Texans, pending a physical.The Bears were reportedly keeping tabs on Chubb and the possibility of adding him to the roster ahead of training camp after first seeing what they had already in the building during […]
The Chicago Bears suffered a free agent blow on Monday with running back Nick Chubb expected to join the Houston Texans, pending a physical.
The Bears were reportedly keeping tabs on Chubb and the possibility of adding him to the roster ahead of training camp after first seeing what they had already in the building during OTAs and mandatory minicamp.
Dianna Russini and Jeremy Fowler noted multiple teams were interested in adding Chubb. Instead, the Bears will have to look elsewhere and it's important to remember that general manager Ryan Poles mentioned having a "short-list" at the position. Here are some other options the front office could consider bringing in.
Free Agent Options:
JK Dobbins – The top name on the free agent board easily becomes JK Dobbins, who's already had visits with a few teams in the last week or two.
Similar to Chubb, Dobbins carries some injury concern at the position, but in Chicago he wouldn't be asked to carry a heavy workload sharing the backfield with D'Andre Swift. The question with Dobbins is whether or not he can actually complement Swift.
With Chubb, the Bears would have had a true bruiser back for short-yardage and redzone, ideally the kind of back the team is lacking. Dobbins has some physicality to his game, but is best catching out of the backfield and using his explosiveness.
Jamaal Williams – In terms of scheme-fit and style of play, Jamaal Williams is the strongest fit on the market for what the Bears are potentially looking to add and brings some familiarity with Ben Johnson and Swift.
In 2022, Williams and Swift led the backfield in Johnson's first year as the Detroit Lions offensive coordinator. Williams had a career-high 1,066 yards and a league-leading 17 touchdowns that year while Swift set a career-best in yards per carry.
Since then, however, Williams has only totaled 470 yards and two touchdowns in 27 games. Linking back up with Johnson would be best for his career if both parties are interested in running it back again.
Trade Options:
Kenneth Walker III – Outside of the open market, the Bears could look to bring in another back via trade. It's an unlikely option, but the Bears do hold all their selections in each round of the 2026 Draft to offer for a veteran back.
Someone like Kenneth Walker III makes a lot of sense and wouldn't demand much compensation or a hefty new contract. Seattle's running back room has always been confusing and the team could look to flip Walker before the season.
Walker totaled a career-low 573 yards and seven touchdowns in 2024 while playing 11 games as the starter. He's still a steady and reliable back who's entering the final year of his contract. Being able to swing a Day 3 pick to get him out of Seattle, if only for a one-year rental, makes a lot of sense at this point.
James Cook – The unlikeliest of scenarios, but one worth mentioning, is James Cook. Adam Schefter reported last week that he doesn't think we'll be seeing Cook in Buffalo anytime soon, adding even more to the ongoing situation.
Cook's issue is that he's wanting a new contract after posting back-to-back 1,000 yard seasons and 18 total touchdowns in 2024. The Bills, instead, paid literally everyone else but Cook this offseason.
Therefore, Cook is reasonably upset and could be looking to play elsewhere. The Bears could look into making a trade, but then having to extend him to a $15+ million annual deal is too much to consider.
Is Another RB Addition Really Needed?
This is the question the coaching staff was expected to find an answer for during OTAs and minicamp after working with the players already in the building for the first time.
Right now, the roster consists of Swift, Roschon Johnson, rookie Kyle Monangai, Travis Homer, Ian Wheeler, and Deion Hankins.
Swift is the unquestioned starter. Behind him, the team wanted to see some more physicality out of Johnson with Monangai looking like his top threat for the RB2 job. Following the final day of minicamp, Johnson listed Monangai as one of the four players who stood out during the practice sessions.
If no outside additions are made ahead of camp in late July, it's a great sign for the rookie having a sizable role in 2025.
