Offseason outlook: Bears could covet a proven running back for 2024 season

(670 The Score) In 2022, the Bears led the NFL in rushing and surpassed the 3,000-yard mark on the ground for the first time in franchise history. This past season, the Bears were second in the NFL in rushing as they built on their offensive identity.

The Bears accomplished those feats without having a running back have a big year in either of those two seasons. Quarterback Justin Fields led the team in rushing each season. David Montgomery was the lead running back in rushing for 801 yards in 2022, while Khalil Herbert led the way at that position with 611 rushing yards in 2023.

That's a strange dynamic for the Bears while also a reflection of their strong rushing identity. One of new offensive coordinator Shane Waldron's tasks is to continue the Bears’ ground game success, but as the offseason is upon us, could the team seek a more established top running back for 2024?

That's one of many decisions that Bears general manager Ryan Poles will make this offseason.

Editor’s note: This is the latest installment in an offseason outlook series exploring each of the Bears’ position groups. Click here to check out the others .

Who’s under contract: Khalil Herbert, 25; Roschon Johnson, 23; Travis Homer, 25
Free agents: D’Onta Foreman, 27; Khari Blasingame, 27

2023 review
The Bears entered the season with three running backs in the fold, hoping one would ultimately emerge. That group was comprised of Herbert, who was a backup behind Montgomery in his first two NFL seasons, as well as the fourth-round rookie Johnson and the veteran Foreman.

As it turned out, the Bears had to rely on all three of their backs at various times. Herbert took the leading role to open the season but missed five games after suffering a high ankle sprain in October. He averaged 4.6 yards per carry and 50.9 yards per contest. His best stretch came in late December, when he combined to rush for 236 yards and two scores in wins over the Cardinals and Falcons.

But the Bears struggled to get Herbert – and their offense as a whole – moving in their loss to the Packers in their season finale, as he carried 12 times for just 28 yards. It underscored the Bears' need for improvement in the backfield.

The rookie Johnson made an impact in a reserve role, carrying 81 times for 352 yards and two touchdown. He missed two games in October due to a concussion. When healthy, Johnson had 10 carries in a game just once in 15 games.

As the Bears assess their future, Johnson looks to be a strong change-of-pace option and a physical ball-carrier.

Foreman had an interesting year with the Bears, one in which he went from a healthy scratch early in the season to the team’s lead back before being inactive again late in the season. Foreman carried 109 times for 425 yards and four touchdowns in nine games. Late in the season, he was frustrated by his lack of opportunity.

Signed to a two-year deal, Homer didn't carry the football but served as a key special teams player. The veteran fullback Blasingame set career-highs with eight carries for 26 in Chicago's win at Washington in early October, a game in which the Bears were left without a healthy running back.

What comes next?
A new-age general manager, Poles seems to hold the belief that running backs are a commodity that don't require a significant investment.

NFL executives are reluctant to use resources on a running back these days – whether that’s spending in free agency or high draft capital – as they've recognized they can land an effective starting running back later in the draft. Isiah Pacheco, the Super Bowl champion Chiefs’ leading rusher, was a seventh-round selection in 2022.

But as they have a young roster and plenty of salary cap space, the Bears are also in a unique position in which they can afford to spend on a running back. Should Chicago select USC quarterback Caleb Williams with the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL Draft, it would also reset the contract window of its starting quarterback and open up money to use elsewhere on its roster in the coming years.

The Bears are in the top 10 of salary cap space entering this offseason. While they face key financial decisions – most notably Pro Bowl cornerback Jaylon Johnson's future – Poles could allocate resources to bringing in a prized running back if he wanted.

This free-agent class of running backs is loaded with stars set to hit the market, including Saquon Barkley, Josh Jacobs, Derrick Henry, Tony Pollard and Austin Ekeler.

By adding a Pro Bowl-caliber rusher, the Bears would position either Fields or Williams with a talent in the backfield who would take attention off the quarterback. It would also be the type of addition that bolsters Chicago’s chance to reach the postseason as it looks to take the next step forward.

In weighing the decision, Poles will have to consider whether the Bears can get enough from their running game with Herbert and Johnson or if a star is worth the price that Chicago would have to pay.

That type of luxury could make sense for the Bears as they look to carry forward in 2024.

Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago’s sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670 .