Ben Johnson at Chicago Bears training camp. Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images

Bears look to bring back familiar face at RB

Originally posted on ChiCitySports | By Jordan Sigler | Last updated Aug 21, 2025 8:02 AM ET

The Chicago Bears don’t appear satisfied with their running back room, with one week left to decide the 53-man roster. The Bears have until Aug. 26 to make their final cuts before preparing for the Minnesota Vikings in Week 1.

The Bears entered training camp with questions at running back. Veteran D’Andre Swift had a down year in 2024. Roschon Johnson isn’t a long-term solution, and seventh-round pick Kyle Monangai will have a steep learning curve when the regular season begins.

Bears worked out a former running back

Per Aaron Wilson of KPRC, the Bears worked out running backs Royce Freeman, undrafted rookie Kylin James and former Carolina Panthers practice-squad player Dillon Johnson.

Bears worked out Royce Freeman, Kylin James, Dillon Johnson

— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) August 19, 2025

Freeman played with the Bears in 2024

Of the three, Freeman is the only running back with stats at the NFL level.

Freeman, a third-round pick by the Denver Broncos in 2018, has appeared in 79 games and started nine games. He’s rushed 471 times for 1,472 yards and 10 touchdowns.

The Bears signed Freeman to the practice squad in December. He was then signed to the Los Angeles Rams practice squad in January. He last played a regular-season game in 2023, when he added 319 yards and two touchdowns in 14 games for the Rams.

The Bears are signaling their need for a running back this summer. There are other options available in the trade market, as the Washington Commanders are shopping Brian Robinson Jr. during the preseason.

More running backs will be available after other teams trim their rosters to 53 players, but they might not be the type of athletes to make a significant boost for the offense early in the regular season.

This article first appeared on ChiCitySports and was syndicated with permission.

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