There are some veteran running backs available, and there's speculation (if not actual evidence) that the Bears are interested in adding one. Apparently, a section of the fanbase is rooting for Nick Chubb. But J.K. Dobbins seems like a better option.
It's possible the Bears are comfortable with what they have. D'Andre Swift had a credible season for them, and they've also got a bigger back (Roschon Johnson) and a seventh-round rookie (Kyle Monangai) who was productive at Ray Rice's alma mater, Rutgers.
But with names like Dobbins and Chubb out there, they're probably considering bringing in someone else, with Ben Johnson having preferred to employ a tandem in Detroit. Looking at last year, Dobbins looks like a superior choice.
He's struggled with durability, of course; that's why he's still available. The last four seasons he's basically played in just two; eight games in one of them, and 13 last year. But Chubb suffered a devastating knee injury in 2023, and he played just eight games a year ago. And was not particularly effective.
Table shows all running back with at least 100 carries last year, sorted by yards per attempt. Dobbins shows up in the top 15, Chubb way down next to last. We can say that yards per carry isn't everything, and it isn't, dependent in some respects on the offensive line and team around them. But Chubb's Cleveland teammate Jerome Ford shows up 4th, averaging 2.1 more yards per attempt on about the same number of carries. Dobbins' teammate Gus Edwards shows up down in the bottom 3, averaging a yard less per attempt than Dobbins.
| RUNNING BACKS 100-PLUS CARRIES, 2024 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | Att | Run | Avg | No | Rec | TD | PPR |
| Derrick Henry, Balt. | 325 | 1921 | 5.9 | 19 | 193 | 18 | 4 |
| Saquon Barkley, Phil. | 345 | 2005 | 5.8 | 33 | 278 | 15 | 2 |
| Jahmyr Gibbs, Det. | 250 | 1412 | 5.7 | 52 | 517 | 20 | 1 |
| Jerome Ford, Cle. | 104 | 565 | 5.4 | 37 | 225 | 3 | 33 |
| Bucky Irving, T.B. | 207 | 1122 | 5.4 | 47 | 392 | 8 | 15 |
| Jordan Mason, S.F. | 153 | 789 | 5.2 | 11 | 91 | 3 | 40 |
| James Cook, Buff. | 207 | 1009 | 4.9 | 32 | 258 | 18 | 8 |
| Emanuel Wilson, G.B. | 103 | 502 | 4.9 | 11 | 48 | 5 | 48 |
| Bijan Robinson, Atl. | 304 | 1456 | 4.8 | 61 | 431 | 15 | 3 |
| Chuba Hubbard, Car. | 250 | 1195 | 4.8 | 43 | 171 | 11 | 13 |
| Jonathan Taylor, Ind. | 303 | 1431 | 4.7 | 18 | 136 | 12 | 14 |
| Tyler Allgeier, Atl. | 137 | 644 | 4.7 | 13 | 88 | 3 | 43 |
| James Conner, Ari. | 236 | 1094 | 4.6 | 47 | 414 | 9 | 11 |
| J.K. Dobbins, LAC | 195 | 905 | 4.6 | 32 | 153 | 9 | 24 |
| Rico Dowdle, Dall. | 235 | 1079 | 4.6 | 39 | 249 | 5 | 23 |
| Tank Bigsby, Jac. | 168 | 766 | 4.6 | 7 | 54 | 7 | 36 |
| Antonio Gibson, N.E. | 120 | 538 | 4.5 | 23 | 206 | 1 | 44 |
| DeVon Achane, Mia. | 203 | 907 | 4.5 | 78 | 592 | 12 | 5 |
| Aaron Jones, Min. | 255 | 1138 | 4.5 | 51 | 408 | 7 | 12 |
| Josh Jacobs, G.B. | 301 | 1329 | 4.4 | 36 | 342 | 16 | 6 |
| Jaleel McLaughlin, Den. | 113 | 496 | 4.4 | 24 | 76 | 3 | 46 |
| Tyrone Tracy, NYG | 192 | 839 | 4.4 | 38 | 284 | 6 | 26 |
| Chase Brown, Cin. | 229 | 990 | 4.3 | 54 | 360 | 11 | 10 |
| Brian Robinson, Was. | 187 | 799 | 4.3 | 20 | 159 | 8 | 29 |
| Cam Akers, 2TM | 104 | 444 | 4.3 | 14 | 68 | 5 | 49 |
| Rachaad White, T.B. | 144 | 613 | 4.3 | 51 | 393 | 9 | 20 |
| Jaylen Warren, Pitt. | 120 | 511 | 4.3 | 38 | 310 | 1 | 39 |
| Zach Charbonnet, Sea. | 135 | 569 | 4.2 | 42 | 340 | 9 | 25 |
| Breece Hall, NYJ | 209 | 876 | 4.2 | 57 | 483 | 8 | 16 |
| David Montgomery, Det. | 185 | 775 | 4.2 | 36 | 341 | 12 | 18 |
| Alvin Kamara, N.O. | 228 | 950 | 4.2 | 68 | 543 | 8 | 9 |
| Tony Pollard, Ten. | 260 | 1079 | 4.2 | 41 | 238 | 5 | 21 |
| Joe Mixon, Hou. | 245 | 1016 | 4.2 | 36 | 309 | 12 | 17 |
| Kyren Williams, LAR | 316 | 1299 | 4.1 | 34 | 182 | 16 | 7 |
| Najee Harris, Pitt. | 263 | 1043 | 4.0 | 36 | 283 | 6 | 22 |
| Ray Davis, Buff. | 113 | 442 | 3.9 | 17 | 189 | 6 | 41 |
| Rhamondre Stevenson, N.E. | 207 | 801 | 3.9 | 33 | 168 | 8 | 27 |
| Devin Singletary, NYG | 113 | 437 | 3.9 | 21 | 119 | 4 | 45 |
| D'Andre Swift, Chi. | 253 | 959 | 3.8 | 42 | 386 | 6 | 19 |
| Kenneth Walker, Sea. | 153 | 573 | 3.8 | 46 | 299 | 8 | 28 |
| Travis Etienne, Jac. | 150 | 558 | 3.7 | 39 | 254 | 2 | 35 |
| Javonte Williams, Den. | 139 | 513 | 3.7 | 52 | 346 | 4 | 30 |
| Kareem Hunt, K.C. | 200 | 728 | 3.6 | 23 | 176 | 7 | 31 |
| Gus Edwards, LAC | 101 | 365 | 3.6 | 3 | 6 | 4 | 59 |
| Nick Chubb, Cle. | 102 | 332 | 3.3 | 5 | 31 | 4 | 58 |
| Alexander Mattison, L.V. | 132 | 420 | 3.2 | 36 | 294 | 5 | 32 |
Personally, I wouldn't mind seeing the Bears stand pat. Let's see what Johnson or Monangai can do. Sign Dobbins, and he won't be considered a strong bet to stay healthy. Chubb either, at this point.
A signing, if it happens, is probably at least a month away, maybe closer to training camp. If they do go with a veteran, Dobbins, injury risk and all, looks like the better choice.
--Andy Richardson