One thing about roster cutdowns every year is that there is a reasonable chance somebody unexpected might get released. This could be for a variety of reasons. Maybe the player didn’t perform in training camp as hoped. Perhaps an injury sidelined them. It could be a money thing sometimes, too. However, the most common reason is that somebody else on the roster outperformed them. The Chicago Bears have had a spirited camp this year with several fierce competitions across the roster.
Even with one preseason game to go, some starting jobs are still up for grabs. So are some roster spots. One position that felt like it was set when camp began was running back. You had Khalil Herbert as the primary starter. Veteran D’Onta Foreman was his backup, and 4th round pick Roschon Johnson came in as depth and competition. It appears things may have changed over the past couple of weeks. While it’s not certain, Adam Jahns of The Athletic indicated one of that trio may not survive final cuts as expected.
Johnson’s playing time with the starters has increased every week since camp opened, but Khalil Herbert remains the projected starter.
It wouldn’t be surprising, though, if Johnson played more than D’Onta Foreman in the early going. Foreman could be a surprise cut.
“We had kind of a rotation that we were going through,” Walker said, “but (Johnson’s) earned his reps.”
There are three reasons the Chicago Bears might do this.
The first is mentioned above. Johnson has played better and better in recent weeks, showcasing not only his strong running ability but also his pass-catching and pass-protecting versatility. Foreman, while an accomplished runner, doesn’t offer the same perks. Then there is the money. Chicago signed him to a one-year deal worth $2 million. They get $1 million back were they to cut him. It’s chump change in the grand scheme. Last but not least is the presence of Travis Homer.
The veteran came over from Seattle this off-season. Like Johnson, he has some versatility as a pass-catcher. His biggest value, though, is on special teams. Were the Chicago Bears to keep Foreman, they’d likely have to carry four running backs. That would force them to sacrifice a roster spot for a greater position of need. While the Bears are a running team, the truth is Foreman isn’t necessary. They had the #1 rushing attack last year with a pairing of Herbert and David Montgomery. There is no reason to have Foreman around if all he’s going to do is eat into potential touches for Johnson.
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It is a harsh assessment. Still, one can understand why they’d think this way.
