The 2024 season did not go as the Chicago Bears had hoped. However, with a new head coach in offensive mastermind Ben Johnson and the No. 1 overall draft pick Caleb Williams, the team seems to have a promising formula for success. Johnson has already started working to recreate what made his time with the Detroit Lions so dynamic.
It all starts with the offensive line, and the Bears have aggressively upgraded theirs. But while they’ve made additions across the board, they also need the right playmakers to make the offense truly dangerous. One analyst has a blueprint for that success — replicating key elements of the Lions’ explosive attack from last season.
Chicago Bears Predicted to Build Ben Johnson’s Signature Offense With Running Backs
Last season, the Detroit Lions had the best offense in football, according to PFSN’s Offense+ metric. While Jared Goff and the passing game were outstanding, two key factors set Detroit apart: their offensive line (ranked fifth on PFSN’s OL+ metric) and running back duo.
The one-two punch of Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery in the backfield made Detroit’s offense nearly impossible to stop. That factor led NFL Draft analyst Jacob Infante to predict that Chicago would take a similar approach in his latest PFSN mock draft.
“After a trench-heavy approach to the offseason, Chicago could potentially consider drafting a running back early, giving Ben Johnson a talented backfield duo alongside D’Andre Swift, similar to what he had in Detroit.”
The Bears have focused heavily on upgrading the offensive line, adding players like Joe Thuney, Jonah Jackson, and Drew Dalman to solidify Caleb Williams’ protection.
Even in the first round, Infante has them selecting NFL Combine standout Armand Membou, an offensive lineman out of Missouri. But in the second round, with the 41st overall pick, he sees them targeting Ohio State running back Quinshon Judkins.
“Quinshon Judkins would be a strong addition to the Bears’ backfield, as he has the ball-carrier vision and big-play speed to make him a threat just about any time he touches the ball,” Infante wrote.
Judkins produced at a high level in college, splitting his three seasons between Ole Miss and Ohio State. He topped 1,000 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns each season, finishing his collegiate career with over 3,700 rushing yards and an eye-popping 45 touchdowns. His skill set could give the Bears an offensive weapon similar to what Gibbs provided in Detroit.
With Johnson taking over as play caller, the Bears should see significant improvements after ranking as the third-worst offense in PFSN’s Offense+ metric last season. However, he’ll need the right personnel to bring his system to life.
Pairing Williams with an explosive running back like Judkins might be the key to unlocking the Bears’ offense and turning them into a perennial playoff threat.