After all the hype about the USC player Caleb Williams, the Bears chose him as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 Draft. As the season moved deeper, the hopes crashed one after another. In the end, they were eliminated from playoff contention with a 5-12 record. To bring out the locker room from the darkness of despair, the franchise brought in Ben Johnson as the new HC. He came to the Bears after two consecutive seasons topping the NFC North with the Lions, in 2023 and 2024. In free agency, he played it smart and also said, “We want some tough, some gritty, some dirty individuals.”

Free agency started on March 12. The team had not offered a new contract to their running back, Travis Homer. But as other teams started to show interest, they signed him again to a 1-year $2 million deal. It is a slight decrease from his earlier 2-year $4.5 million contract.

The RB has given support to Caleb Williams whenever he could. But never been a regular or never been a starter. In 2 seasons with the Bears, he played 26 games (zero started) with 6 rushes for 23 rushing yards. He has not scored a touchdown for the Bears, making him more of a backup. Will HC Ben Johnson be fine with this?

However, this is a distinct from what HC has been saying for some days. He needs an RB upgrade in the roster, not a tint of mediocrity. The buzz is growing about drafting Boise State RB Ashton Jeanty. In 40 college games (26 starters), 750 rushes for 4,769 rushing yards and 50 TDs. Even in the receiving game, he had 80 receptions for 862 receiving yards and 6 TDs.

While it remains to be seen how they will make space for the college RB, they are aiming for the receivers. That’s a weapon for Caleb Williams.

Ben Johnson trying to poach Chiefs WR

Ben Johnson is trying to woo WR Mecole Hardman Jr. to visit the building. The second-round pick (56th overall) of the 2019 Draft has played his entire career with the Chiefs, except 5 games for the NY Jets early in the 2023 NFL season. The 3-time Super Bowl winner has worked hard with the AFC West franchise.

That would be a major boost to QB Caleb Williams. It aligns with what Ben Johnson said about their free agency plans, “Smart’ is a word that comes to mind, particularly with the interior players. We would love to have some versatility to our scheme, some multiplicity if you will.”

But the team is also facing fierce competition from the Chargers and Ravens. Both teams had a great show, reaching playoffs with ease. While the Chargers lost to the Texans, the Bills decimated the Ravens. So, they want to get the offensive weapon.

The game changes with every addition. Hardman has been a dominant player. In 80 games (28 started) in 6 years, the Chiefs receiver has 178 receptions for 2,302 receiving yards and 16 TDs. Even in the rushing game, he had 26 carries for 190 yards and 3 touchdowns. That’s what everyone is excited about.