The Chicago Bears offense struggled in the passing game in 2022, but they also had the NFL’s best rushing attack, made all the more impressive considering teams knew they were going to run the ball.
Chicago led the league with 3,014 yards and averaged 5.4 yards per carry. Quarterback Justin Fields’ elite rushing ability was a big reason for their dominance, as the second-year quarterback rushed for 1,143 yards.
The 33rd Team’s Paul Burmeister released his list of the top seven rushing attacks in the NFL, and the Bears weren’t on the list. Burmeister had the Baltimore Ravens, Green Bay Packers, San Francisco 49ers, Tennessee Titans, Philadelphia Eagles, New York Jets and Indianapolis Colts ranked ahead of the Bears.
Chicago had the league’s best rushing attack — and most dangerous running quarterback — last season, so it’s a surprise that they weren’t on this list, yet alone top three.
Agree or disagree with @PaulWBurmeister and Charles Davis' list of the top seven rushing attacks? pic.twitter.com/y2qq81JEtE
— The 33rd Team (@The33rdTeamFB) June 16, 2023
If anything, the Bears’ run game improved this offseason. Sure, they lost David Montgomery, who signed with the Detroit Lions in free agency. But Montgomery wasn’t as productive in Luke Getsy than his veteran counterpart, Khalil Herbert, who averaged a league-best 5.7 yards per carry.
Chicago also added veteran D’Onta Foreman in free agency and rookie Roschon Johnson in the NFL draft. Foreman is coming off an impressive year with the Panthers, where he totaled 914 rushing yards and proved to be a reliable replacement for a departed Christian McCaffrey. Johnson stood in the tall shadow of Bijan Robinson at Texas, and there are many who have Johnson pegged to emerge as Chicago’s lead back by the end of his rookie season.
