Ben Johnson Has His Eye On Another Potential Late Round Gem At Running Back
The Chicago Bears scored big last year when they drafted Kyle Monangai in the 7th round out of Rutgers. He immediately became a key contributor in their #3-ranked rushing attack alongside D’Andre Swift. It was proof that head coach Ben Johnson still had a sharp eye for running backs. It led some to wonder if he might continue tweaking the position going into 2026. High draft picks are out of the question, but another late-rounder could make sense to provide some depth and versatility.
Sure enough, college insider Thomas Christopher reported that several teams were on hand for Navy Football’s pro day. The Bears were one of them. Most agree that the only prospect there to draw such a crowd is running back Eli Heidenreich. He was easily one of the most versatile offensive weapons in college football, rushing for 499 yards and receiving for 941 while scoring nine touchdowns. He’s lauded for his physical running style, good speed, and versatility as a pass catcher.
Heidenreich has drawn comparisons to former New England Patriots standouts like Danny Woodhead and James White. Neither were franchise-caliber guys, but so difficult to account for because they were used in so many different ways.
Ben Johnson is no stranger to such players.
He’d watched the Miami Dolphins utilize Damien Williams in that fashion for years before he left for Kansas City and became an eventual Super Bowl hero. He wasn’t flashy, but he could run the ball well and was a good pass catcher. It didn’t matter that he wasn’t the strongest or the fastest. He had enough talent mixed with competence to give offensive coordinators options. Heidenreich is built the same way. People will talk about his lack of pure athleticism and mass all day. Then they will watch him join the legion of similar players who manage to carve out a quality NFL career, because it’s never been just about raw physical skill.
It isn’t surprising the Bears are looking into running backs. They have questions about the position that need to be addressed. Travis Homer is a free agent. D’Andre Swift is in the last year of his contract. They need to consider adding some depth. After all, the Bears were fortunate that injuries didn’t hit the position hard last season. Heidenreich will be a cheaper option who should prove more valuable than his draft projections indicate, provided he lands under the right offensive mind.
| Attribute | Eli Heidenreich | Danny Woodhead | James White | Nyheim Hines |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Primary Role | Slot/Wingback “Hybrid” | Scatback / 3rd Down | Receiving Specialist | Gadget / Returner |
| Speed (40-yd) | 4.44s | 4.46s | 4.57s | 4.38s |
| Style | Vertical threat + Edge runner | Shifty + Low center of gravity | Elite route runner + Hands | Track speed + Space player |
| College Production | 18.3 YPC (Rec) / 6.8 YPC (Rush) | 7,962 Rushing Yds (DII) | 1,402 Receiving Yds | 1,000+ Rush & 900+ Rec |
The Bears will likely be regular investors at running back.
That comes from the nature of deploying a run-heavy offense. Ben Johnson wants to deploy his offense through the running game. It eases pressure on the quarterback and opens up opportunities downfield through play-action. It’s the most battle-tested approach to football there is, but Johnson just does it in more modern ways. It would make sense he’d want a deep stable of running backs, both for depth and versatility purposes. Heidenreich could be a perfect member of such a stable.
He also likely isn’t the only name they’re looking at. There are plenty of other names in this class who fit what Johnson likes. The smart thing to do is keep an eye on those who have considerable speed. It was a big emphasis during his time in Detroit, and it’s been indicated that it hasn’t changed. Keep the name circled. If he’s around on day three, the Bears could pounce.