Analyzing the Bears RB Room, Post-Hibernation

Shane Waldron's Run Scheme

In 2023, Waldron was the offensive coordinator for the Seattle Seahawks. His offense featured a notable rate of heavy personnel packages. However, despite using more tight ends than any other offense in the NFL, the Seahawks ranked 31st in rush attempts. They ranked 22nd and 27th in rush attempts in the two seasons before that.

You would think an offense that plays in heavy packages so often would run the football more often, but that is not the case. My theory is that Waldron likes the illusion of running the football more than actually utilizing a run-heavy offense. He wants to dictate matchups and create favorable passing situations by taking a defensive back off the field.

Regarding run concepts, Waldron's roots are in the Sean McVay offense, built on outside zone run concepts. But that is not what we saw in Seattle. In 2023, the Seahawks were predominantly an inside zone scheme. However, I think they leaned on inside zone concepts out of need more than anything.

The Seahawks offensive line dealt with multiple injuries to multiple starters all season in 2023. When dealing with a rotating door of blockers, you go back to the basics. In this case, the basics would be inside zone concepts. I decided to watch the Seahawks scripted drives from week one. That game script might be the most telling sequence for an offensive coordinator. That game plan is built before injuries and execution issues become limiting factors.

On the Seahawks first drive in 2023, the offense leaned on multiple gap, zone, and hybrid run concepts like inside zone, outside zone, GT Counter, G Lead, and Split Zone. That variety makes me question how different Waldron's rushing offense might look with better health and more reliable execution. 

The Bears offensive line is returning four of five starters who executed multiple of gap and zone run concepts under Luke Getsy in 2023. Additionally, the Bears retained their offensive line coach, Chris Morgan, who surely influenced those rushing concepts. In 2024, I suspect the Bears rushing offense will be more multiple than many expect. Also, be on the lookout for more Pistol concepts from the Bears.

Chicago Bears Running Back Room

D'Andre Swift

D'Andre Swift was the big free-agent addition, bringing a ton of wiggle to the position. Swift might not be an every-down, home-run threat, but he has consistently produced explosive plays throughout his career. I do not expect those explosives to be of the 30+ yard variety very often, though. Breakaway speed is not his calling card, but his ability to create in space and make tacklers miss should continue to be an asset in Chicago.

Swift should be especially valuable on passing downs. Waldron likes to get into spread looks and empty sets on 3rd downs. Don't be surprised if we see Swift lined up wide in an empty set, only to motion into the backfield. He is also capable as a route runner with 147 career snaps out wide. From those spread looks, Swift has real potential to do damage as a ball carrier. His ability to make a tackler miss becomes more dangerous in spread alignments that stretch defenses horizontally.

Khalil Herbert

Even with the addition of Swift, I still expect Khalil Herbert to have a significant role with the Bears in 2024. While Herbert is more limited in his ability to play passing downs, his explosiveness and home run-hitting ability will get him opportunities. This is where I see more of the run scheme variety coming into play. If I were Shane Waldron, I would look for ways to get Herbert opportunities to break big runs within gap run concepts.

Herbert has been more of an outside zone runner in his career, showing good patience and vision before bursting through the line of scrimmage. But with his burst, the idea of using gap concepts to blow open run lanes is enticing. We saw Waldron find ways to get the football into Kenneth Walker's hands in Seattle despite having a limited skillset on passing downs. I expect to see some similarities with Herbert in 2024.

Other Running Backs

Beyond the top two players, the Bears also have Roschon Johnson and Travis Homer on the roster. Johnson showed some promise early last season as a rookie, but his production tapered off after suffering a concussion. Johnson's running style is bruising more than elusive, which compliments Swift and Herbert well. Additionally, Johnson's ability to play pass-downs and special teams adds value.

Homer could be the odd man out unless the Bears plan to roster four running backs. He was a core special teams player for the Bears in 2023 but only played six offensive snaps the whole season. Homer's running style is more of the elusive brand and he adds value on passing downs as a receiver. Additionally, Shane Waldron was in Seattle with Travis Homer in 2021 and 2022, so Homer should be well versed in the offense.