Honestly, if you've been watching the Chicago Bears lately, you know the vibe at Halas Hall has shifted. It’s not just about "finding a guy" anymore. It’s about a system. For years, Bears fans suffered through a revolving door of backfield mediocrity, but the Chicago Bears running backs depth chart heading into the 2026 postseason looks... surprisingly elite?
I’m serious.
We went from "Can D’Andre Swift actually stay healthy?" to "How many yards is Kyle Monangai going to rip off in the second half?" and it happened in a blink. Most people still think of this as a one-man show, but if you look at the actual distribution of touches under Offensive Coordinator Declan Doyle, the reality is way more nuanced.
The Dynamic Duo: Swift and the Rookie Sensation
Let’s talk about D’Andre Swift first because he’s the engine. He just wrapped up a 2025 regular season where he put up 1,087 rushing yards. That’s back-to-back 1,000-yard campaigns if you count his 2024 production, and he's doing it with a career-high 4.9 yards per carry. He’s not just a "space" player anymore. He's hitting the gaps with a level of violence we didn't always see in Philly or Detroit.
But the real story? Kyle Monangai.
Nobody expected a seventh-round pick out of Rutgers to be this good. When the Bears took him at No. 233 overall, he was supposed to be a camp body or maybe a special teams guy. Instead, he’s basically become the "Thunder" to Swift’s "Lightning."
- D’Andre Swift (RB1): 223 carries, 1,087 yards, 9 TDs.
- Kyle Monangai (RB2): 169 carries, 783 yards, 5 TDs.
Monangai averaged 4.6 yards per clip. That is insane for a backup. It means the Bears don't lose a step when Swift needs a breather. If anything, the defense gets more tired because they go from chasing a gazelle to trying to tackle a bowling ball.
What Happened to Roschon Johnson?
This is the part that bums me out a little. Everyone—myself included—was high on Roschon Johnson coming out of Texas. We thought he was the future. But the Chicago Bears running backs depth chart is a cruel place.
💡 You might also like: Why the USA Nike Elite Bag is Still the Only Backpack Hoop Heads Actually Want
Roschon has been dealing with a nagging thumb injury that eventually landed him on Injured Reserve. Before that, he was barely seeing the field, recording only two carries for 17 yards in the 2025 season. It’s tough. He’s a "culture" guy, a leader, but in this high-octane Ben Johnson-inspired offense (now run by Doyle), you need to be a home-run threat or a relentless grinder. Right now, he’s stuck in no-man's land, though the team expects him back for the deep playoff run.
The Veterans and the "Swiss Army Knives"
You can’t talk about the Bears' backfield without mentioning the guys who don't necessarily "run" but make the run game work.
- Travis Homer: He’s the third-stringer officially, but let’s be real, he’s a special teams ace and a pass-blocking specialist. You see him on 3rd-and-long when Caleb Williams needs a stone wall in front of him.
- Caleb Williams: Yeah, he’s the QB, but he’s the third-leading rusher on the team. 388 yards and 3 TDs. His ability to scramble makes the traditional Chicago Bears running backs depth chart almost irrelevant because linebackers have to spy him, which opens those massive lanes for Swift.
- Brittain Brown: He’s been a practice squad hero who finally got some run late in the year, averaging 7.4 yards on five carries. Small sample size, sure, but he looks like a viable depth piece.
The Khalil Herbert Ghost
Remember Khalil Herbert?
It feels like forever ago that he was the lead dog in Chicago. He’s with the New York Jets now, and frankly, he’s struggling (3.3 yards per carry). It just goes to show how much a scheme matters. The Bears moved on at exactly the right time to transition into this two-headed monster of Swift and Monangai.
How the Depth Chart Actually Functions in 2026
The Bears aren't running a traditional 1-2-3 depth chart. It’s more of a situational flowchart.
If it’s the first quarter and the script is active, it’s all Swift. They want to test the edges. If they’re up by 10 in the third quarter? That’s Monangai time. They want to punish the interior of the defensive line.
One thing people get wrong is the "backup" label. Kyle Monangai isn't a backup; he’s a closer. He had more 20+ yard runs in the fourth quarter than almost any other back in the NFC North this year. That’s a testament to the offensive line, too—shoutout to Darnell Wright and Joe Thuney for creating those alleys.
Looking Toward the Divisional Round vs. the Rams
As we head into this matchup with the Rams, the health of this group is paramount. D’Andre Swift has been on the injury report with a groin issue, but he’s expected to play. If he’s even 80%, the Bears are dangerous. If he’s not, the weight of the world falls on Monangai’s shoulders.
The Rams' front is stout, but they struggle with backs who can catch. Swift has 34 receptions this year. Monangai has 18. This is where the Bears win—by using the backfield to negate the pass rush.
Why the 2026 Offseason Might Be Quiet
Usually, we're talking about the Bears needing to draft a RB in the second round. Not this time. With Swift locked in (his cap hit is about $9.3 million this year) and Monangai on a rookie deal that costs basically nothing, the Bears are set.
They’ve found the "sweet spot" of NFL roster construction: an elite veteran who can do it all and a late-round gem who produces like a starter.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans and Analysts
- Watch the Snap Counts: In the upcoming playoff games, keep an eye on the 2nd quarter. If Monangai starts getting early-down work, it means the Bears are trying to shorten the game.
- Monitor the Injury Report: Specifically for D’Andre Swift's groin. If he’s limited, expect Travis Homer to see a massive jump in passing-down snaps to protect Caleb.
- Don't Overlook Luther Burden III: I know he's a WR, but the Bears have been using him on jet sweeps (6 carries, 37 yards). He is effectively the "RB3" in certain packages.
- Prepare for Monangai's Rise: If you're in a dynasty league or just a stats nerd, Monangai is the guy to watch. He’s cemented himself into the 2026 plans regardless of what happens in the playoffs.
The Bears finally have a backfield that doesn't just "exist"—it dictates. Whether it's Swift’s speed or Monangai’s power, the Chicago Bears running backs depth chart is the most stable it’s been in a decade.