30 Most Important Bears of 2025: Roschon Johnson (No. 30)
Every day from now right up through training camp, we're counting down our 30 Most Important Bears for the 2025 season. We'll recap their 2024 season, look ahead to 2025 and tackle the biggest question facing them this year.
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First up at No. 30 is running back Roschon Johnson, who served as the team's short-yardage back in 2024, and has a chance to earn more carries with a new coaching staff.
Background
Position: Running back
Age: 24
Experience: 3rd season
2025 cap hit: $1.22 million
2024 recap
Johnson's flashes during his rookie season weren't enough to convince the Bears front office he could ascend to starter status in Year 2. The team signed veteran D'Andre Swift in free agency, and Johnson was firmly put in a reserve role. Even worse, Johnson was a healthy scratch to begin Week 1 as offensive coordinator Shane Waldron opted to rely on other skill players.
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That proved to be a mistake, though, and Johnson made sure to show why. The Bears struggled to run the ball early on and needed a consistent threat in between the tackles. Johnson began to earn more carries and wound up becoming the goal-line back in scoring situations while helping improve the overall rushing attack. With just 55 carries, Johnson scored six touchdowns and converted 17 first downs. That's one more first down than he had in 2023 with 81 carries. He played in 14 total games, missing two more late in the season due to a concussion.
Most Important Bears of 2025: Roschon Johnson (#30)
2025 outlook
Entering his third season, Johnson hasn't become the starting-caliber running back some thought he could be when he was drafted out of Texas. That doesn't mean he still doesn't have an important role to fill. Despite rumors swirling that they could overhaul the position during the offseason, the Bears only made a minor addition at running back when they drafted Kyle Monangai in the seventh round. That gives Johnson a strong shot to earn important carries for the 2025 season.
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As of now, the Bears are expected to lean on Swift as their RB1, but Johnson has a relatively clear path in front of him to spell him. The Bears need a bruising back to carry the ball in between the tackles in key situations, and it would be surprising if Swift is the right man for the job. That's where Johnson could shine once again.
Big Question: What will Johnson's role be in the new offense?
A new coaching staff brings many questions for every position group. When it comes to Johnson and the running backs, it's fair to wonder where exactly he fits in. Monangai, while being a late pick, is still highly thought of and could emerge as a legitimate option in the backfield. It's possible Johnson is the odd man out when training camp concludes, despite his past success.
On the other hand, the Bears' staff may see Johnson as the ideal complement to Swift as a 1B back. Ben Johnson prefers to operate with a running back committee and has had an effective approach during his days in Detroit with a smasher and a slasher. Even when he and Swift were in Detroit, the Lions had Jamaal Williams, who led the league with 17 touchdowns in 2022. Roschon Johnson could be the Williams of this Bears offense and wind up leading the team in carries.
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The coaching staff is still getting a feel for the players, so we won't know how the Bears plan to utilize their running backs for quite some time. Regardless, Johnson possesses a skill set that will benefit the Bears in 2025. Whether or not he can build off that and do more remains to be seen.
30 Most Important Bears of 2025
#30 - RB Roschon Johnson
#29 - Coming 7/1
#28 - Coming 7/2
#27 - Coming 7/3
#26 - Coming 7/4
#25 - Coming 7/5
#24 - Coming 7/6
#23 - Coming 7/7
#22 - Coming 7/8
#21 - Coming 7/9
#20 - Coming 7/10
#19 - Coming 7/11
#18 - Coming 7/12
#17 - Coming 7/13
#16 - Coming 7/14
#15 - Coming 7/15
#14 - Coming 7/16
#13 - Coming 7/17
#12 - Coming 7/18
#11 - Coming 7/19
#10 - Coming 7/20
#9 - Coming 7/21
#8 - Coming 7/22
#7 - Coming 7/23
#6 - Coming 7/24
#5 - Coming 7/25
#4 - Coming 7/26
#3 - Coming 7/27
#2 - Coming 7/28
#1 - Coming 7/29
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This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Most Important Bears of 2025: Roschon Johnson (No. 30)
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