The NFL free agency period will begin on March 12th with the Chicago Bears expected to be extremely active as they will potentially have more than 70 million dollars in cap space.
Although the team currently has a starting running back in D’Andre Swift, it is expected that new head coach Ben Johnson will look to find a replacement for Swift. One potential back that could serve as an answer to Chicago’s need could be free agent running back Javonte Williams, who is expected to not be re-signed by the Denver Broncos.
Javonte Williams is an ideal fit for Ben Johnson
Williams has been the Broncos’ feature back since being drafted by the team in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft. Despite suffering a season-ending knee injury in 2022 and recording only 513 rushing yards on 139 rushing attempts, there is still a lot of upside to the fourth-year starter.
Javonte Williams’ lack of production was due more in part to how he was utilized by head coach Sean Payton, who utilized a running back by committee style of offense for the Broncos’ rushing offense.
With Johnson’s new offense, the rushing offense will need to have a starting running back that will need to be capable of being successful on outside rushing attempts and in between the tackles. Although Swift has averaged over 1,000 yards rushing the last two seasons, he was inconsistently effective on inside rushing attempts.
Although Javonte Williams lacks the same level of speed that Chicago’s current starting running back has, he has been proven to be reliable with vision and an ability get consistently get to the second level of the defense.
Over Johnson’s last three seasons as offensive coordinator with the Detroit Lions, the Lions’ offense has recorded over 2,000 rushing yards and had a 1,000-yard running back each season. Even more impressive has been the Lions’ offense having two running backs recording over 700 rushing yards or the past two seasons. Johnson’s system could be ideal for Javonte Williams to produce his first 1,000-yard rushing campaign of his career.
It will be intriguing to see what Johnson, along with general manager Ryan Poles, decide to do with the running back position because many draft insiders believe the team will draft a running back before the fourth round.
If Chicago can move Swift via a trade, Williams will make for the best affordable option in free agency to serve as a one-year bridge candidate to allow for the development of a potential rookie running back. Additionally, the Broncos’ back can serve as a terrific goal-line back, outside of Roschon Johnson, who recorded six touchdowns in goal-to-go situations.
Being able to sign Williams, provides the Bears front office with leverage and flexibility in potential trade negotiations if the team looks to trade for a veteran running back. If Poles is looking to trade for a top-tier rusher, an opposing team could try to take advantage of Chicago’s need to find a back that fits Johnson’s offensive scheme and demand a more valuable draft selection.
Being able to pivot to Javonte Williams in free agency gives Poles potential leverage to walk away from a trade that may prove to be too costly in the long term.
Another Thomas Jones-like RB for the Chicago Bears?
The Bears have found success before in free agency when finding a running back that could be immensely productive in the right offensive scheme. If Chicago decides to sign Williams, it could be similar to when the franchise signed running back Thomas Jones in the offseason before the 2004 season. Although Jones was only with the Bears for three seasons, he is remembered as one of the best backs in team history as he generated over 3,493 rushing yards.
Jones was a vital piece to Chicago’s back-to-back divisional titles in 2005 and 2006, including their Super Bowl 41 in 2006. Like Jones, signing Williams in free agency may not be seen as an intensely impactful signing, but could be a contributing factor if Johnson’s offense is extremely efficient in 2025. Payton’s lack of use for Williams could enable the running back to take opposing defenses if Johnson decides to give him the ball more. With Denver in 2024, the fourth-year back only had one game where he had 15 or more rushing attempts.
Despite his stats showing otherwise, Jones was actually also used a bridge back for eventual starter Cedric Benson in 2007. Chicago drafted Benson fourth overall in 2005, but due to a holdout, Jones was the starting running back and rushed for over 1,300 yards. Ideally, despite still being young, Williams could hopefully provide a similar level of production before the team looks to feature a back that was drafted either this season or next.
It has been over five seasons since the Bears’ offense has featured a 1,000-yard running back, but it is a legitimate possibility that changes in Johnson’s first season as head coach. One of the best options available from a mix of affordability and talent could be Williams, who still has the potential to be a feature back in the right offense. Last offseason, Chicago took a chance on Swift in free agency and miss, this offseason Williams could help Poles and Johnson right a wrong.
Chicago Bears could take detour in 2025 Draft for special player that fits Ben Johnson
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