As the 2025 NFL Draft approaches, the Chicago Bears find themselves at an interesting crossroads. Having spent the 2024 season building momentum with young quarterback Justin Fields, the Bears are looking to continue their path toward becoming perennial contenders. With a wealth of cap space, draft capital, and a desire to find an impact player who can contribute immediately, one position that stands out as needing attention is running back.
While Fields’ rushing ability has been one of the team’s brightest spots, the Bears’ rushing attack as a whole has been inconsistent. The departure of David Montgomery left a gap, and while Khalil Herbert has flashed potential, the team lacks that game-breaking, playmaking presence in the backfield. To take the next step in their development, the Bears are in need of a dynamic running back who can not only carry the load but also contribute in the passing game.
Enter the 2025 NFL Draft, where one of the most exciting playmaking running backs in recent memory is expected to be available: Brock Johnson. A highly touted prospect from the University of Georgia, Johnson has been a dynamic and explosive player throughout his college career. The Bears have been named the greatest fit for this elusive and electrifying ball-carrier, and for good reason.
Why Brock Johnson Is the Perfect Fit for the Chicago Bears
- A Dynamic Playmaker: Brock Johnson’s biggest attribute is his playmaking ability. Whether it’s turning a screen pass into a long touchdown, running through tacklers between the tackles, or breaking free on the outside with blazing speed, Johnson has the ability to change the game in an instant. His balance, vision, and burst make him a threat every time he touches the football. In the modern NFL, a running back with such traits is invaluable, especially for a team like the Bears, who are still working to find their offensive identity.
Johnson’s vision and footwork are among the best in this class. He shows patience when waiting for his blockers to set up and is incredibly decisive once he sees a crease. His ability to make defenders miss in the open field, combined with his top-end speed, gives the Bears an element they currently lack: the ability to break big plays.
Justin Fields has often had to rely on his legs to generate explosive plays for the offense. With Johnson in the backfield, the Bears could build an offense around a dangerous run-pass option (RPO) attack, allowing Fields to become even more dynamic while keeping defenses on their toes. This pairing would elevate the Bears’ offense in ways that would create more space and create mismatches for opposing defenses.
- An Immediate Impact on the Rushing Attack: While Khalil Herbert is a solid back, the Bears need someone who can be a true every-down, dual-threat running back. Johnson fits this bill perfectly. Not only is he an elite rusher between the tackles, but his skill set as a receiver out of the backfield makes him an ideal complement to Fields’ development as a quarterback.
In a traditional running attack, Johnson’s vision and ability to make defenders miss would make him a nightmare for linebackers and defensive backs. However, his versatility as a receiver is where he truly sets himself apart. Johnson’s ability to run routes like a wide receiver and track the ball down the field would provide Fields with a reliable checkdown option and create mismatches against opposing linebackers who struggle to cover running backs in space.
The Bears’ offense is built around Fields’ ability to extend plays and make quick, decisive throws. Brock Johnson’s ability to contribute as a receiver in space would only help the young quarterback, making life easier for Fields and taking pressure off of him in critical moments. With a player like Johnson, the Bears’ offense would become more dynamic and difficult to predict.
- Fitting with Matt Eberflus’ Philosophy: Bears head coach Matt Eberflus is known for his defensive-minded philosophy, but he also values balance on offense. Eberflus is looking for an offense that can control the clock and set up a physical, aggressive defense. To do that, he needs a running back who can wear down opposing defenses, maintain possession, and keep drives alive.
Johnson’s ability to break tackles and grind out yards after contact would be a huge asset to Eberflus’ vision. Even though he’s a playmaker who can hit home runs, Johnson also possesses the patience and balance to run between the tackles and keep the chains moving. His ability to be productive in short-yardage and goal-line situations would add another layer of toughness to the Bears’ offensive identity.
Additionally, Eberflus values versatility in his players, especially on the offensive side of the ball. Johnson’s ability to do everything from running inside to being a receiving threat out of the backfield aligns perfectly with Eberflus’ desire to have multifaceted players who can impact the game in various ways.
- Improving the Bears’ Red Zone Offense: One area where the Bears have struggled in recent years is their red zone offense. They have been inconsistent in finishing drives and converting opportunities into touchdowns. Johnson’s ability to make defenders miss in tight spaces, combined with his power to push through contact, would immediately improve the team’s red zone offense.
In the passing game, Johnson would provide an instant option as a weapon on swing passes, screens, and wheel routes, all of which are effective tools in the red zone. His speed and agility allow him to exploit mismatches in short-yardage situations, and his ability to make plays in tight spaces would make him a reliable asset in these high-leverage moments.
- Relieving Pressure on Justin Fields: Justin Fields is undoubtedly the face of the Chicago Bears’ franchise. However, like many young quarterbacks, he has faced difficulties when the offense relies too heavily on his shoulders. A dynamic running back like Brock Johnson would alleviate some of that pressure. Not only would Johnson help stabilize the run game, but he would also provide Fields with a safety net as a receiver out of the backfield, giving him a reliable outlet when under pressure.
Johnson’s ability to both run and catch the ball would enable Fields to stay within the structure of the offense while also allowing him to take full advantage of his playmaking ability. Rather than feeling forced to carry the load on his own, Fields would have a true partner in the backfield who can create opportunities for both himself and his quarterback.
- Offensive Line Protection: The Bears’ offensive line, while improving, is still a work in progress. A top-tier running back like Johnson could make their offensive line look better than it actually is. His patience and ability to read his blockers would allow him to get the most out of the limited space created by the offensive line. In addition, his ability to catch passes and make plays after the catch would allow the Bears to take advantage of more creative passing schemes without the need for an elite line.
Johnson’s elusiveness also helps protect the offensive line. As a running back who can avoid tacklers in the backfield and make defenders miss in the open field, he lessens the chance of negative plays, which could otherwise stall drives.
The Fit with the Bears’ Long-Term Plan
The Bears have a clear vision for the future, and selecting a player like Brock Johnson would perfectly align with that vision. While they’ve built a solid foundation with Fields and are steadily improving in other areas, adding an explosive, versatile running back would be the missing piece to becoming a truly dynamic offense.
Johnson’s skill set as a dual-threat back would give the Bears a player who could take the pressure off Fields and give the offense a reliable and dangerous weapon. Additionally, he provides a long-term solution at the running back position. While there may be other talented running backs in this draft, Johnson’s combination of speed, vision, agility, and receiving ability makes him the best fit for the Bears’ needs.
Given that the Bears are not only looking to develop Fields but also aiming to create an offense that can win consistently, Johnson’s skill set would elevate their potential in both the short and long term. His versatility would allow offensive coordinator Luke Getsy to deploy him in a multitude of ways, maximizing his impact in various situations and keeping opposing defenses guessing.
The Draft Decision
The Bears are currently positioned with high draft picks, and selecting a player like Brock Johnson would be a major statement that they’re serious about building an offense around Fields. While they have several other needs, particularly on the defensive side of the ball and in the trenches, taking Johnson early in the draft would give the Bears one of the most electrifying and versatile playmakers available. His fit with the Bears is undeniable, and he has the potential to be a centerpiece of their offense for years to come.
The Chicago Bears’ offense is ready to take the next step, and Brock Johnson is the perfect player to help them get there. His dynamic playmaking ability, vision, and versatility would immediately improve their rushing attack and provide Fields with a true partner in the backfield. This pick would be the missing piece to the Bears’ offensive puzzle, and Johnson’s addition would not only elevate the Bears in 2025 but set them up for success in the years ahead. The 2025 NFL Draft is an opportunity for Chicago to solidify its future, and selecting Brock Johnson would be a move they won’t regret.