The Chicago Bears, once known for having one of the most potent rushing attacks in the NFL under former offensive coordinator Luke Getsy, have struggled mightily in that department through the first two games of the 2024 season. Now, with Shane Waldron calling the plays, the run game has been a shadow of its former self, and it’s having a significant impact on rookie quarterback Caleb Williams.
Much of the blame can be attributed to poor offensive line play, which has been glaring in both pass protection and run blocking. In Week 2, the Bears once again failed to establish any kind of rhythm on the ground, and it’s directly affecting Williams’ ability to settle into his role.
Heading into his rookie season, the plan was for Williams to rely on a well-rounded team as he developed. The defense and special teams have held up their end, but the offense, especially the run game, has faltered. The Bears’ inability to create running lanes is not only stalling drives but also putting undue pressure on their young signal-caller.
After signing dynamic running back D’Andre Swift in free agency, expectations were high for the Bears’ rushing attack. However, Swift has yet to live up to his billing, largely due to the offensive line’s inability to create space. In the Week 2 loss to the Houston Texans, Williams led the team in rushing with 44 yards on five scrambles, while Swift managed a meager 1.3 yards per carry on 14 attempts.
“We want to run the ball better than what we did,” head coach Matt Eberflus said after the game. “It was OK, but not good enough. We’ve got to establish the run game. It’s always a good friend to a young quarterback when you can do that.”
Swift’s struggles began in Week 1, where outside of a late 20-yard run, he failed to make a meaningful impact. His frequent runs up the middle have been ineffective, a style mismatch with the Bears’ struggling O-line. In Week 2, while he found more success as a receiver (4 catches for 24 yards), his ground game woes persisted, raising concerns about whether he’s the right fit for the current offensive scheme.
Looking ahead, the Bears might need to reconsider their reliance on Swift. With blocking issues up front, a shift to backs like Khalil Herbert and Roschon Johnson could be the solution. Both players are better suited to grind out tough yardage and create their own running lanes, as they demonstrated in 2023, averaging over 4.0 yards per carry.
Though Herbert has seen limited action this season, his Week 2 goal-line touchdown showed his ability to fight for every yard. Johnson, who showed promise as a rookie, has surprisingly yet to see any offensive snaps in 2024, despite his physical running style that complements the Bears’ current offensive line challenges.
For the Bears to succeed—and for Williams to thrive—their run game must improve. Giving more carries to Herbert and Johnson might be the spark they need to open up the offense, allowing Williams to develop with less pressure and more support.