In the build-up to the draft, it became clear the Bears were among the teams which coveted Ashton Jeanty. The top running back in the 2025 class wound up being drafted sixth overall by the Raiders, though, leaving him out of Chicago’s range. 
The Bears did wind up selecting a rookie to add to their backfield, but seventh-rounder Kyle Monangai obviously will not face the same expectations as a prospect added during the early portions of the draft. General manager Ryan Poles noted (via ESPN’s Courtney Cronin) drafting a running back earlier than the final round of the event remained on the team’s radar, but the cost of moving up to do so proved to be prohibitive. Chicago’s depth chart at the RB spot now consists of Monangai along with returnees D’Andre Swift, Roschon Johnson, Travis Homer and Ian Wheeler.
That group could see at least one addition ahead of training camp. Head coach Ben Johnson said (via Cronin) Chicago will likely have six or seven backs in the fold by July, meaning a move or two should be in store in the meantime. That could of course consist of a rookie minicamp participant landing a contract, but a veteran signing could also be in store.
By this point in the offseason, few running backs of note remain available. Nick Chubb‘s Browns tenure appears to be over, and he is joined by the likes of Gus Edwards, Jeff Wilson and Nyheim Hines on the market. J.K. Dobbins could be a target, but since the Chargers applied the UFA tender in his case, Los Angeles would receive a compensatory pick in the event another team were to sign him. Dobbins’ rights will belong exclusively to the Chargers past July 22 if he is still unsigned by that date.
The Bears have Swift in position to reprise his role as lead back for 2025, the first year with Johnson at the helm. He and Swift previously worked together with the Lions, and that familiarity could be key in allowing the latter to build off his production from 2024 (which included a career-high 1,345 scrimmage yards). Two years remain on Swift’s contract, although his base salary guarantees only run through the 2025 campaign.
Chicago is currently near the bottom of the league in terms of cap space ($10.6MM), but room could exist for a low-cost addition in the backfield. It will be interesting to see how the team operates at the position after missing out on the top rookie options.