Ryan Poles’ honest take on Chicago Bears adding free agent running back

After not selecting a running back until the seventh-round of the 2025 NFL Draft, the Chicago Bears were immediately tied to the top names in the free agent market. But general manager Ryan Poles isn’t immediately hitting the panic button on the running back position.

Chicago is certainly wading through the names and seeing what opportunities lie in front of them. However, the Bears remain confident in what is already on the roster. Furthermore, the franchise at least wants to see each runner during training camp. With Chicago undergoing major roster changes under new head coach Ben Johnson, the team needs to truly evaluate how each running back fits the scheme.

Still, running back was just as much of a need for the Bears as it was before the 2025 NFL Draft. While Poles brushed off the idea of Chicago making an immediate idea at running back, the position will still be heavily evaluated as the Bears continue their offseason program, via Kap & J Hood on ESPN1000.

“We have a shortlist that we’re looking at of guys that are available,” Poles said. “We always stay opportunistic there and we have conversations internally of, ‘Is this going to be the right move for us?’ ‘Is there a fit?’ And we’ll continue to have those conversations.”

“We really want to get this new coaching staff with the players that we have to see if they believe that they can help us,” Poles continued. “But we’ll always keep our eye on the shortlist to see if we need to bring someone in to create competition and raise the level of talent in that room.”

Chicago Bears’ shortlist 

As it stands, D’Andre Swift is set to lead the Bears’ backfield once again in 2025. His Chicago debut saw him run for 959 yards and six touchdowns on a career-high 253 carries. However, Swift averaged just 3.8 yards per carry. Johnson is looking for efficiency from his running backs. Whether it’s Swift or a free agent addition, they must prove to be aggressive and effective whenever they get the ball.

At this stage of free agency, there aren’t many franchise-defining names left. However, the two biggest veterans being linked to the Windy City are Nick Chubb and JK Dobbins.

Chubb has spent his entire seven-year career with the Cleveland Browns, earning four Pro Bowl nominations along the way. However, serious knee injuries have taken a real toll on the running back’s career. He appeared in just two games in 2023 and eight games in 2024. Chubb does have 6,843 rushing yards and 51 touchdowns to his name. But the Bears must be certain his medical situation is all cleared before making a commitment.

Dobbins has dealt with serious injuries himself, missing the entire 2021 season due to an ACL tear. He then tore his Achilles in 2023, playing in just one game. But Dobbins was able to recover and sign with the Los Angeles Chargers in 2024, appearing in 13 games. He ran for 905 yards and nine touchdowns. Like Chubb, Chicago would need to be fully confident in Dobbins’ health. But his impressive 2024 season certainly has raised some eyebrows.

For now, the Bears will see exactly what they have in their running back room before diving into the free agency market. But with a shortlist already in place, Poles knows exactly who he would call if/when it’s time to add a runner.