Roschon Johnson and Bears Players Who Need More Playing Time in Week 2 Against Buccaneers.
In their opening game, the Chicago Bears provided a sneak peek into the potential depth of their running back roster for the future.
During their game against the Green Bay Packers, the Bears deployed Roschon Johnson, D'Onta Foreman, and Khalil Herbert. Surprisingly, none of these players took the field for more than 40% of the offensive plays.
Johnson, who made his mark at Texas, demonstrated dynamism in various facets of Sunday's game, suggesting he could become the leading running back for the team by season's end.
To ensure a victory in their Week 2 clash against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and subsequent games, it's crucial for the Bears to consistently surround Justin Fields with their top playmakers.
As a result, we might see more formations featuring multiple running backs and tight ends in the upcoming Week 2 game and the games that follow.
Roschon Johnson
In his NFL debut, Johnson gave a promising glimpse into why he could potentially be the Bears' premier running back.
Hailing from Texas, Johnson managed to accumulate 20 rushing yards and a touchdown with only five carries. Additionally, he successfully caught six out of seven passes, gaining 35 yards in the process.
Johnson's presence in the game against the Packers, a key NFC North match, was slightly more than Foreman and Herbert. He was involved in 39% of the team's offensive moves, while Herbert and Foreman contributed 36% and 28% respectively, as noted by Pro Football Reference.
Given Johnson's impressive performance in Week 1, the coaching team should increasingly bank on him in upcoming matches. Johnson's unique play-making capabilities set him apart from the other running backs, and he is poised to secure a major chunk of the offensive snaps if he continues to perform at this level.
Robert Tonyan
Against his previous team, Tonyan had minimal field presence.
Tonyan, who is second in line as Chicago's tight end, participated in a mere 4% of the offensive snaps during Week 1.
While it's not anticipated for Tonyan to surpass Cole Kmet in the roster, his involvement in the game needs to increase from what was seen in Week 1.
The Bears' pass-catching unit, despite being bolstered this year with the addition of D.J. Moore, lacks depth. This makes it imperative to have backup strategies for scenarios where the leading wide receiver might be cornered during certain games.
Initially, Tonyan could be more actively involved in blocking and within the red zone. If the Bears can execute sustained drives leading into the red zone in Week 2, Tonyan's participation might see an uptick. With his capability in the run game and potential to occasionally score a touchdown when the likes of Moore and Kmet are tightly marked, Tonyan can prove to be a valuable asset.
