The Bears may not be desperate for a new running back—but that doesn’t mean they won’t add one this summer. And if they do, there’s one name that makes a lot of sense: Jamaal Williams.
Chicago already has D’Andre Swift, who put up solid numbers in 2024 with over 1,300 yards from scrimmage and six touchdowns. But his 3.8 yards per carry was a career low, and head coach Ben Johnson—who once helped push Swift out of Detroit—knows what he wants in a backfield. Add in Roschon Johnson’s inconsistent play and concussion history, and it’s not wild to think the Bears could be on the hunt for another vet.
That’s where Jamaal Williams comes in.
Mike Pendleton of Bears Wire floated the idea of Williams reuniting with Johnson in Chicago. Remember, back in 2022, Williams had a monster year under Johnson’s direction with the Lions—racking up 1,066 yards and a league-best 17 rushing touchdowns. Not only that, he and Swift already know how to share a backfield. That kind of familiarity could help smooth things out as Johnson installs his offense in Year 1.
Of course, Williams isn’t the same back he was a couple of years ago. He’s now 30 and coming off a quiet two-year stint with the Saints where he struggled to make an impact. He’s still a free agent, but if the Bears want leadership, locker room chemistry, and a little extra juice in the red zone, Williams could be a low-risk, high-character pickup.
Chicago did go after Nick Chubb earlier this offseason, so the interest in a veteran backfield presence is clearly there. If Williams has anything left in the tank, a reunion in the Windy City might just be the perfect final chapter to his NFL story.
Jamaal Williams to the Bears? Reunion With Ben Johnson Floated in Chicago
