The Chicago Bears are on a mission. After a tough 2024 season that left fans and the team wishing for more, they’ve been busy reshaping their lineup to better support their star rookie quarterback, Caleb Williams.
The focal point of this rebuild lies in addressing some glaring weaknesses, with the running game being particularly high on that list. The Bears’ rushing attack ranked a disappointing 27th in the NFL, thanks in part to an inconsistent offensive line and a run game that just didn’t have the spark it needed.
D’Andre Swift and Roschon Johnson, although promising, haven’t quite delivered the breakout performances the team had hoped for.
Enter the possibility of adding some Super Bowl-winning pedigree to the mix. The potential acquisition of Kansas City Chiefs’ running back Isiah Pacheco, as the projection suggests, could revitalize the Bears’ backfield at a bargain.
According to the deal, Chicago might secure Pacheco for a fifth-round pick. For a player who has made waves on the biggest stage, that’s a no-brainer move.
Pacheco’s 2024 season was marred by injuries, but at just 26 years old, he’s got ample fuel left in the tank. With existing connections between Chicago’s GM Ryan Poles and the Chiefs, and with Pacheco familiar with All-Pro guard Joe Thuney, the stars might be aligning for this trade.
The current depth chart in Kansas City already appears accommodating to a potential shake-up, with Kareem Hunt and newcomer Elijah Mitchell likely leading their charge. This leaves the door wide open for the transaction.
What’s intriguing about Pacheco is his contrasting style to Swift. He’s the kind of runner who loves to bulldoze through tacklers, whereas Swift is adept in open space and catching passes. Add Roschon Johnson into the rotation, and head coach Ben Johnson could unleash a versatile offensive strategy, keeping defenses guessing and maintaining fresh legs on the field.
Pacheco might not need to hit the 1,000-yard mark to make his presence felt in Chicago. Instead, he can excel in a supportive role, effectively enhancing the offense without being the featured back. Ben Johnson has a track record of effectively utilizing mixed backfields, as seen with his time managing Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery.
In fact, the potential pairing of Swift and Pacheco conjures thoughts of a formidable dynamic, akin to what the Detroit Lions boast. For a team like the Bears, hungry for progress and looking towards the future, such a move could be the cornerstone for long-term success.