According to Courtney Cronin of ESPN, Bears RB Roschon Johnson seems poised to operate as Chicago's short-yardage RB again in 2025.
What They're Saying
Cronin: “Roschon Johnson feels like a lock to be the Bears’ short yardage/goal-line running back again this year, but also on third down (where he was utilized on 51% of offensive snaps in 2024).”
2025 Fantasy Football Impact
Anyone that has been hoping Johnson could become HC Ben Johnson’s next Jamaal Williams is certainly happy to hear this. Williams scored a whopping 17 TDs with Johnson calling the plays in Detroit back in 2022. While that is obviously unlikely to be replicated by Roschon, a goal-line role would make him more than fantasy relevant.
This past season, Johnson saw the same number of rush attempts from inside the five-yard line as RB D’Andre Swift (8), though Johnson scored six TDs on those carries to Swift’s three. There were plenty of plays where Chicago’s offensive line got pushed back, giving the RBs nowhere to go from in close. But the team addressed the run-blocking unit this offseason, adding LG Joe Thuney, C Drew Dalman, and RG Jonah Jackson.
Swift still projects to lead this backfield in touches this season. But if Johnson secures the high-value touches (goal-line carries and pass-game usage), he could emerge as one of the top RB sleepers in all of fantasy football.