Roschon Johnson's Pass Blocking Meets Mixed Reviews

The Bears entrusted the rookie with a big responsibility because he had more playing time than any time this season with 52 plays. Khalil Herbert had only 15 plays in the game and only two plays as a pass blocker. He didn't disappoint for the most part, but his overall Pro Football Focus pass blocking grade was second lowest of his season.

It's obvious they believe in Johnson as a blocker more than Herbert or D'Onta Foreman, who was unavailable due to an ankle injury. Despite being a rookie, Johnson has as many pass blocking plays (39) as Herbert and Foreman put together in a year when all three backs have suffered injuries at some point.

It's just that Johnson's exploits in the course of the game didn't measure up to his one highlight block.

"But he's a heck of a worker, super smart, he's a tough guy and he's one of our better protectors," Eberflus said. "So he'll continue to work on that."

Pro Football Focus doesn't offer up the same overall evaluation on Bears backs as blockers this season.

Herbert has an extremely high PFF pass blocking grade on the year even though he is used less on this respect. He is graded 17th among all backs and seventh taking into account backs who have played 20% of their offense's snaps. Johnson is 54th and Foreman is 72nd overall among all backs as pass blockers.

It's possible things will change after the bye week because it's two more weeks for Herbert since coming out of an ankle injury, although Eberflus says Herbert is fine now. Herbert started playing against Detroit two weeks ago and wasn't entirely effective coming out of the ankle injury. He had only 15 plays against Minnesota, his smallest total of reps for any game he has played.

It's apparent Bears backfield usage against Minnesota was geared entirely to an opponent known for excessive blitzing and not necessarily where they rate as ball carriers or receivers.

The Bears play Detroit in the next game and the Lions blitz only about as much as the Bears. The Bears rank 18th in blitz percentage and Detroit 17th according to Sportradar.

Combine the fact Foreman could be back healthy with two weeks before another game is played because it would be three weeks since his last game, and the Bears could look entirely different in the backfield.

Still, no one could deny it's all been good experience for a rookie back from Texas who figures to continue playing more in future seasons.