Everybody knows who the stars are for the Chicago Bears offense going into 2024. As of now, it’s the trio of D.J. Moore, Keenan Allen, and Cole Kmet. Others have a good chance to become big contributors as well, including Rome Odunze and D’Andre Swift. However, the true success of offenses in the NFL isn’t limited to the stars. They need the lesser names to make significant contributions as well. Maybe it’s a fullback opening a lane on a key 3rd and short. Maybe it’s the #2 tight end running a rub route to pull coverage off of a teammate. Or maybe it’s a running back throwing a key block in pass protection.
That last one might be the most underrated job in any offense. Most of the time, offensive linemen can only focus on blocking one guy. Yet defenses have no qualms about sending extra attackers to overwhelm them. In those situations, it falls to the running back to pick up the slack. One of the primary reasons Chad Morton was hired as new Bears running backs coach was his knack for coaching his players how to block properly. In the short time he’s been here, he has already noticed the team has a secret weapon on this front. He revealed it to Nicholas Moreano of CHGO.
“You know who does it really good here and I don’t even think he knew it? Roschon (Johnson),” Morton said. “He blocks just like Zack (Charbonnet). Same style if you notice he will just catch em too with his shoulder. He’s not sitting and trying to punch right here. He’s really good. He’s excellent. He’s been like that since college. He’s going to help us out here on third downs, even first and second, every down.”
Despite being a rookie 4th round pick, the running back threw 68 blocks in pass protection last season. That was tied for 19th-most in the NFL. He also had the 13th-best pass-blocking grade among running backs who played at least 20% of a team’s blocking snaps last season. He had a better mark than Najee Harris, Josh Jacobs, Ezekiel Elliott, and former teammate Bijan Robinson. What Morton says is true. Johnson is a natural at blocking, and now he has somebody to help perfect his techniques on the coaching staff.
This will only ensure the security of young quarterback Cale Williams even further. Opposing defenses are almost certain to blitz him more often than normal, trying to confuse and rattle him. It will be on the offensive line, tight ends, and running backs to hold those attacks in check. Joshnon will be a vital component of the Chicago Bears’ plans. That isn’t even accounting for his ability to run and catch the ball as well. Don’t be surprised to hear his name more often this year.
