The Windy City hasn’t seen a backfield this expensive in quite a while. Honestly, the Chicago RB depth chart used to be a place where late-round picks like Jordan Howard or Khalil Herbert went to prove everyone wrong, but things have shifted under Ryan Poles. It’s no longer about finding a diamond in the rough. It’s about a massive $24 million investment in D’Andre Swift and what that does to a room that already felt crowded.
If you’re looking at the roster, it’s not just a list of names. It’s a puzzle. You have a former Pro Bowler, a home-run hitter, and a short-yardage specialist who probably deserves more touches than he gets.
Chicago is trying to build a "positionless" vibe in the passing game, but the backfield remains surprisingly traditional in its hierarchy. Well, mostly.
The Swift Factor: Why the Chicago RB Depth Chart Looks Different Now
When the Bears handed D’Andre Swift a three-year deal worth $24 million right at the jump of free agency, it sent a shockwave through Halas Hall. Some fans hated it. Why pay a premium for a running back when Khalil Herbert was averaging five yards a carry? The answer lies in the explosive nature of the modern NFL offense.
Swift isn't just a runner. He’s a release valve. Last year in Philadelphia, he proved he could handle a heavy workload, but in Chicago, he’s expected to be the lightning bolt. He’s the undisputed RB1. When you look at the Chicago RB depth chart, his name is written in Sharpie at the top. He brings a lateral agility that Herbert simply doesn't possess.
Think about those screen passes that used to go for two yards. With Swift, those are suddenly fifteen-yard gains. He’s slippery. He’s fast. He’s also expensive, which means the coaching staff is under immense pressure to make him the focal point of the ground game.
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Khalil Herbert: The Odd Man Out?
It’s kinda wild how quickly things change in the NFL. Just a year ago, Khalil Herbert was the guy. He’s arguably the most efficient pure runner on the team. If you look at the advanced metrics—stuff like yards after contact per attempt or explosive run rate—Herbert usually ranks near the top of the league. He hits the hole with a violence that’s fun to watch.
But there’s a catch.
Herbert has struggled with pass protection. In an offense featuring a young quarterback, you cannot have a running back who lets a blitzing linebacker through the "A" gap. That’s how seasons end. Because of this, Herbert has slid down the Chicago RB depth chart into a secondary role. He’s the "change of pace" guy now, which feels like a waste of his talent, but that’s the reality of a crowded room. Rumors of trade talks have floated around for months because Herbert is in a contract year. If a team loses their starter in training camp or early in the season, don't be surprised if Chicago moves him for a late-round pick.
Roschon Johnson and the Dirty Work
Then there’s Roschon Johnson. If Swift is the flash and Herbert is the slash, Johnson is the hammer. He’s the guy you want on 3rd and 2.
The sophomore out of Texas didn't set the world on fire with his stats last year, but coaches absolutely love him. Why? Because he plays like a linebacker with the ball in his hands. He’s probably the best pass-blocking back on the roster, which makes him incredibly valuable in long-down situations. On the Chicago RB depth chart, he’s technically the RB3, but he might end up playing more snaps than Herbert by the end of the year simply because he can be trusted in every facet of the game.
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The Bottom of the Roster: Special Teams and Insurance
Beyond the big three, things get a bit more speculative. Travis Homer is still lurking around. Most fans forget he’s even on the team until he makes a tackle on a kickoff. He’s a special teams ace. In the current NFL, if you aren't one of the top two backs, you better be able to cover punts. Homer does that better than almost anyone else in that room.
Then you have the flyers—the undrafted free agents and the practice squad guys like Ian Wheeler. Wheeler showed some juice in the preseason, showing a "one-cut-and-go" style that fits Shane Waldron’s zone-blocking scheme. But let's be real: barring a catastrophic injury spree, these guys are fighting for a spot on the scout team.
The Shane Waldron Influence
We have to talk about the new Offensive Coordinator. Shane Waldron came over from Seattle, where he used a heavy rotation. He likes to keep legs fresh. This suggests that the Chicago RB depth chart won't be a "bell-cow" situation where Swift gets 25 carries. Instead, expect a 60/30/10 split.
Waldron’s system relies on the "wide zone" stretch. This requires backs who can read the defensive end’s leverage and make a decisive cut. Swift excels at this. Herbert is good at it. Johnson is learning it. The nuance here is that the Bears aren't just looking for the fastest guy; they’re looking for the guy with the best vision.
Reality Check: The Injury History
You can't discuss this group without mentioning the "I" word.
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- D’Andre Swift has a history of nagging shoulder and ankle issues.
- Khalil Herbert has missed chunks of time in back-to-back seasons with ankle and shin injuries.
- Even Roschon Johnson dealt with a concussion that sidelined him during his rookie campaign.
This fragility is exactly why the Bears kept the room so deep. If Swift goes down in Week 4, the offense doesn't have to change its identity because Herbert can step in and provide 80% of that production. It’s a luxury most teams don't have. Many franchises are one twisted ankle away from starting a guy they signed off the street on a Tuesday. Chicago isn't in that position.
What Most People Get Wrong About This Group
The biggest misconception is that this is a "running back by committee" because no one is good enough to lead. That's wrong. It’s a committee because the skill sets are so diverse.
If you're playing a team with a weak interior defensive line, you're going to see a lot of Roschon Johnson. If you're playing a team with slow linebackers, Swift is going to catch 10 passes out of the backfield. The Chicago RB depth chart is designed to be a Swiss Army knife. It’s about matchups, not just a static ranking of 1, 2, and 3.
Actionable Insights for the Season
If you’re tracking this backfield for fantasy purposes or just to understand the Sunday game plan, watch the first two drives.
- Watch the personnel on 3rd down: If Roschon is in early, it means the Bears are worried about the pass rush.
- Look at Swift’s alignment: If he’s lined up in the slot, he’s the primary target.
- Monitor the goal line: This is where the real battle happens. While Swift is the star, Johnson’s size makes him the logical choice for touchdowns. If Swift starts vulturing those short-yardage scores, his value skyrockets.
The depth here is a massive upgrade over the D'Onta Foreman era. It’s faster, younger, and more versatile. While the price tag for Swift was high, the resulting hierarchy gives Chicago a level of flexibility they haven't had since the Matt Forte days.
Keep an eye on the waiver wire and trade rumors involving Herbert. As the season progresses, his spot on the Chicago RB depth chart will be the most telling indicator of how the front office views the future of this position. If he stays, they’re all-in on a deep playoff run. If he’s moved, they’re confident that Swift and Johnson can carry the entire load.
Ultimately, the success of this unit depends on the offensive line’s ability to transition to Waldron’s scheme, but on paper, this is a top-10 unit in the league. They have the talent. They have the depth. Now they just need to stay healthy enough to use it.