Alyssa Barbieri
May 30, 2024 7:25 am CT
The Chicago Bears had the NFL’s best rushing offense during the 2023 regular season. While former quarterback Justin Fields was a big part of that success, they also had a running back committee who were able to contribute.
Heading into the 2024 season, the Bears welcome a new lead back to the mix in D’Andre Swift, who was signed in free agency. He’s coming off his first 1,000-yard rushing season, and he also adds a dimension in the passing game. Swift joins a group already featuring Khalil Herbert and Roschon Johnson, who will get their looks this season.
ESPN’s Mike Clayhas released his 2024 projections, including ranking every running back room in the NFL. Where does Chicago’s running backs rank among the rest of the league? Here’s a look:
32. Dallas Cowboys
Dec 5, 2019; Chicago, IL, USA;Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott (21) runs with the ball as Chicago Bears outside linebacker Khalil Mack (52) chases during the first half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports
Ezekiel Elliott, Rico Dowdle, Deuce Vaughn, Royce Freeman
31. Cincinnati Bengals
Indianapolis Colts running back Zack Moss (21) rushes the ball Sunday, Oct. 8, 2023, during a game against the Tennessee Titans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
Zack Moss, Chase Brown, Trayveon Williams, Chris Evans
30. Las Vegas Raiders
Dec 14, 2023; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders running back Zamir White (35) runs against Los Angeles Chargers defensive tackle Austin Johnson (98) in the second quarter at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
Zamir White, Ameer Abdullah, Alexander Mattison, Dylan Laube
29. Los Angeles Chargers
Baltimore Ravens running back Gus Edwards (35) scores a touchdown during the fourth quarter of a regular season NFL football matchup Sunday, Dec. 17, 2023 at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. The Baltimore Ravens defeated the Jacksonville Jaguars 23-7. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]
Gus Edwards, J.K. Dobbins, Isaiah Spiller, Kimani Vidal
28. Denver Broncos
Oct 1, 2023; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Denver Broncos running back Javonte Williams (33) rushes the ball against the Chicago Bears during the first half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike Dinovo-USA TODAY Sports
Javonte Williams, Samaje Perine, Jaleel McLaughlin, Audric Estime
27. New York Giants
Nov 19, 2023; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans running back Devin Singletary (26) runs with the ball during the second quarter against the Arizona Cardinals at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Devin Singletary, Tyrone Tracy Jr., Eric Gray, Gary Brightwell
26. Carolina Panthers
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – MAY 10: Jonathon Brooks #24 of the Carolina Panthers looks on during rookie minicamp on May 10, 2024 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images)
Jonathon Brooks, Chuba Hubbard, Miles Sanders, Rashaad Penny
25. Cleveland Browns
Sep 29, 2019; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens inside linebacker Kenny Young (40) tackles Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb (24) during a football game in the first quarter at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mitchell Layton-USA TODAY Sports
Nick Chubb, Jerome Ford, Nyheim Hines, D’Onta Foreman
24. Minnesota Vikings
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – SEPTEMBER 10: Aaron Jones #33 of the Green Bay Packers runs the ball past T.J. Edwards #53 of the Chicago Bears during the second half at Soldier Field on September 10, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Aaron Jones, Ty Chandler, Kene Nwangwu, Myles Gaskin
23. Buffalo Bills
Buffalo Bills running back James Cook (4) breaks a tackle by Dallas Cowboys safety Markquese Bell (14). Cook rushed for 179 yards in 31-10 Bills win.
James Cook, Ray Davis, Ty Johnson, Darrynton Evans
22. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FLORIDA – SEPTEMBER 17: Rachaad White #1 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers runs past T.J. Edwards #53 of the Chicago Bears during the third quarter at Raymond James Stadium on September 17, 2023 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
Rachaad White, Bucky Irving, Chase Edmonds, Sean Tucker
21. Tennessee Titans
Dallas Cowboys running back Tony Pollard (20) runs with the ball at MetLife Stadium. Sunday, September 10, 2023
Tony Pollard, Tyjae Spears, Julius Chestnut, Hassan Haskins
20. Arizona Cardinals
Nov 21, 2021; Seattle, Washington, USA; Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner (6) celebrates after rushing for a touchdown against the Seattle Seahawks during the fourth quarter at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
James Conner, Trey Benson, Michael Carter, Emari Demercado
19. Houston Texans
Aug 9, 2018; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals running back Joe Mixon (28) scores a touchdown against the Chicago Bears in the first half at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Joe Mixon, Dare Ogunbowale, Dameon Pierce, Jawhar Jordan
18. New England Patriots
Oct 16, 2022; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; New England Patriots running back Rhamondre Stevenson (38) runs the ball for a touchdown against the Cleveland Browns during the second quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-USA TODAY Sports
Rhamondre Stevenson, Antonio Gibson, Kevin Harris, Jamycal Hasty
17. Chicago Bears
Mar 14, 2024; Lake Forest, IL, USA; Chicago Bears running back D’Andre Swift speaks during a press conference at Halas Hall. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
D’Andre Swift, Roschon Johnson, Khalil Herbert, Travis Homer
16. Kansas City Chiefs
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI – SEPTEMBER 24: Isiah Pacheco #10 of the Kansas City Chiefs runs with the ball in the second quarter of a game against the Chicago Bears at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on September 24, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images) ORG XMIT: 775992289 ORIG FILE ID: 1699237210
Isiah Pacheco, Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Keaontay Ingram, Deneric Prince
15. Los Angeles Rams
October 15, 2023; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams running back Kyren Williams (23) runs the football against Arizona Cardinals cornerback Marco Wilson (20) during the third quarter at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Kyren Williams, Blake Corum, Ronnie Rivers, Boston Scott
14. Jacksonville Jaguars
Jacksonville Jaguars running back Travis Etienne Jr. (1) is stopped by Tennessee Titans defensive tackle Marlon Davidson (92) during the first quarter at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Sunday, Jan. 7, 2024.
Travis Etienne, Tank Bigsby, D’Ernest Johnson, Keilan Robinson
13. Washington Commanders
Sep 17, 2023; Denver, Colorado, USA; Washington Commanders running back Brian Robinson Jr. (8) reacts after scoring a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Brian Robinson Jr., Austin Ekeler, Chris Rodriguez, Jeremy McNichols
12. Green Bay Packers
Dec 4, 2022; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Green Bay Packers running back AJ Dillon (28) scores a touchdown past Chicago Bears safety DeAndre Houston-Carson (36) during the second half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports
Josh Jacobs, MarShawn Lloyd, AJ Dillon, Emanuel Wilson
11. Pittsburgh Steelers
Oct 17, 2021; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Seattle Seahawks defensive tackle Poona Ford (97) chases Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris (22) during the first quarter at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Najee Harris, Jaylen Warren, Cordarrelle Patterson, Aaron Shampklin
10. New Orleans Saints
Oct 15, 2017; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara (41) runs against the Detroit Lions in the first half at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports
Alvin Kamara, Jamaal Williams, Kendre Miller, Jordan Mims
9. Miami Dolphins
Oct 9, 2022; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Miami Dolphins running back Raheem Mostert (31) runs with the ball for a touchdown against the New York Jets during the first half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
Raheem Mostert, De’Von Achane, Jaylen Wright, Jeff Wilson Jr.
8. Indianapolis Colts
Oct 17, 2021; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor (28) runs the ball while Houston Texans cornerback Terrance Mitchell (39) defends in the second half at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Jonathan Taylor, Trey Sermon, Evan Hull, Tyler Goodson
7. Baltimore Ravens
Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry (22) on the sideline late during the fourth quarter of their loss to the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas., Sunday, Dec. 31, 2023.
Derrick Henry, Keaton Mitchell, Justice Hill, Rasheen Ali
6. Philadelphia Eagles
East Rutherford, NJ — October 22, 2023 — Saquon Barkley of the Giants scored a TD on a pass play in the first half. The NY Giants host the Washington Commanders at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ on October 22, 2023.
Saquon Barkley, Kenneth Gainwell, Will Shipley, Tyrion Davis-Price
5. New York Jets
Nov 19, 2023; Orchard Park, New York, USA; New York Jets running back Breece Hall (20) runs with the ball against the Buffalo Bills during the second half at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports
Breece Hall, Israel Abanikanda, Braelon Allen, Isaiah Davis
4. Seattle Seahawks
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) hands off to Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9) in the first quarter of the NFL Week 6 game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Seattle Seahawks at Paycor Stadium in downtown Cincinnati on Sunday, Oct. 15, 2023.
Ken Walker III, Zach Charbonnet, Kenny McIntosh, George Holani
3. Atlanta Falcons
Dec 24, 2023; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson (7) runs against the Indianapolis Colts at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Bijan Robinson, Tyler Allgeier, Jase McClellan, Avery Williams
2. Detroit Lions
Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (26) runs against Atlanta Falcons during the second half at Ford Field in Detroit on Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023.
Jahmyr Gibbs, David Montgomery, Craig Reynolds, Sione Vaki
1. San Francisco 49ers
Oct 1, 2023; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey (23) runs the ball against the Arizona Cardinals in the third quarter at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
Christian McCaffrey, Elijah Mitchell, Jordan Mason, Isaac Guerendo
More 2024 season
