The Chicago Bearswelcomed eight new rookies to the roster in the 2025 NFL draft, where they’re being praised for their moves including the additions of tight end Colston Loveland and wide receiver Luther Burden III.
But there was some surprise that the Bears waited until the seventh round to draft a running back in Kyle Monangai out of Rutgers. General manager Ryan Poles acknowledged that there were times during the draft where the board didn’t fall their way — aka they kept getting sniped, including with Ohio State running backs TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins. But it sounds like the Bears could be closing in on signing a former Pro Bowl running back in free agency.
According to one Cleveland radio host, it sounds like running back Nick Chubb is getting close to an NFC North team — and that just might be the Bears.
“Are we ready to say goodbye to Nick Chubb?” Ken Carman said on 92.3 The Fan in Cleveland. “I heard he is kind of getting close to another team…it happens to be in the NFC North.”
“Are we ready to say goodbye to Nick Chubb? I heard he is kind of getting close to another team…it happens to be in the NFC North.”
🎙️ @KenCarman to @SportsBoyTony on the #Browns additions of RBs Judkins/Sampson, what it means for Chubb 🏈⤵️
🔊 Listen: https://t.co/ZippVE2gUHpic.twitter.com/I5tbbYrmcM
— 92.3 The Fan (@923TheFan) April 28, 2025
It’s not difficult to discern which team Carman is talking about if you pay attention. The Detroit Lions are set with a two-headed monster with Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery; the Green Bay Packers cashed in on Josh Jacobs during last year’s free agency; and the Minnesota Vikings re-signed Aaron Jones this offseason.
That leaves the Bears, whose biggest question mark on offense is now running back. D’Andre Swift is the featured back, but he’s not a between-the-tackles runner. Chicago does have Roschon Johnson, but he played sparingly last season and it’s unclear how the new coaching staff views him. The Bears also drafted Monangai, who could very well play a big role in Ben Johnson’s offense.
But there are still a lot of unknowns. It would make sense for Chicago to at least explore adding a veteran like Chubb to that room until they can find a long-term solution, be it currently on the roster or elsewhere.
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This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Could the Bears be closing in on former Browns RB Nick Chubb?