ESPN Insider Reveals Chicago Bears Are Planning A Big Lineup Change
Something isn’t working with the Chicago Bears offense. While pass protection is often referenced in these conversations, the reality is somewhat different. The Bears can’t run. They have the 30th-ranked rushing attack in the league. This is not something the organization is used to, and many in and around Halas Hall are wondering what is happening. Part of it is blocking. It hasn’t been as effective as it was last season. However, there is also a harsher truth the team must confront.
D’Andre Swift isn’t good.
The big free agent acquisition from March has been nothing short of a disaster to start the season. He has 37 carries for 68 yards across three games, averaging a horrendous 1.8 yards per attempt. Keep in mind this is the same guy who went over 1,000 yards last season. His vision has been horrible, and he just can’t create anything for himself without good blocking. That might explain why Jeremy Fowler of ESPN revealed that the Bears are planning a lineup change moving forward.
“Watch for Bears running back Roschon Johnson to possibly get an extended look this week. Chicago has struggled mightily to run the ball and turned to Johnson, more of a bruiser, for eight carries in Week 3 vs. the Colts. The Bears need to get downhill faster.”
Shifting to Johnson is the only option for the Chicago Bears.
He has been, by far, their most reliable running back, rushing for 30 yards on eight carries and catching four passes for 32 yards. It isn’t fancy, but it’s better than anything the Bears have gotten from the other options. Johnson is the type of back who doesn’t need pristine blocking. He has enough power, contact balance, and vision to make something positive from every run. True, he doesn’t have the explosiveness teams might prefer. A lot of times, that doesn’t matter. It is getting the job done.
Shifting to him is necessary. One could argue the Chicago Bears should’ve done it far sooner. It wasn’t taking long to realize Swift and even Khalil Herbert couldn’t find any traction. Yet Johnson remained on the sideline. Shane Waldron wouldn’t even give him an opportunity. It appears he has no other choice now, which isn’t a great look. Coaches are supposed to have a good grasp of their personnel strengths and weaknesses. Regardless, this change is long overdue.