The Chicago Bears had the 3rd-best running game in the NFL last season. They accomplished this without what many would call a star running back. D’Andre Swift is a good player, but nobody would confuse him with one of the true elites in the game. Kyle Monangai was a solid #2 option alongside him. It looks like the team plans to stick with that plan again in 2026, which isn’t surprising. However, some around the league wonder if they should be aiming higher. If those two could produce so well in Ben Johnson’s offense, imagine what a star might accomplish. Rumors already surfaced weeks ago that Jonathan Taylor could be a name to watch if Indianapolis gets off to a poor start. Now you can add Bijan Robinson to that list.
The All-Pro running back is entering the fourth season of his career. He’s made two Pro Bowls and cracked 1400 rushing yards in each of the past two seasons. Unsurprisingly, Robinson wants a contract extension. Thus far, the Atlanta Falcons haven’t given him one. That is why the running back is currently holding in during the start of training camp. He won’t practice until the team gets serious about paying him. No trade has been requested yet, but there is speculation it could reach that point. If it does, Jason McIntyre of The Herd believes Chicago is the obvious landing spot.
Bijan Robinson is a pipe dream.
Let’s just get that out of the way now. The Falcons quarterback situation is among the worst in the NFL right now. That makes Robinson their most important offensive player. Trading him is just not something you do. Still, this is the NFL. Crazy things happen all the time. So let’s play this scenario out. Atlanta isn’t willing to budge on contract talks. Robinson holds firm in his unwillingness to play. Rather than string things out, the team decides to push further into their rebuild by shipping him out for the best possible return.
What would it cost the Bears to make it happen? Based on modern history, the compensation varies wildly. Here is a list of notable running backs who were 26 or younger and considered top five at their position when they got traded.
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| Player | Age at Trade | Year | From → To | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Christian McCaffrey | 26 | 2022 | Panthers → 49ers | 2023 2nd, 2023 3rd, 2023 4th + 2024 5th |
| Marshall Faulk | 26 | 1999 | Colts → Rams | 1999 2nd + 1999 5th |
| LeSean McCoy | 26 | 2015 | Eagles → Bills | LB Kiko Alonso (straight player-for-player) |
| Jerome Bettis | 24 | 1996 | Rams → Steelers | Steelers sent 1996 2nd + 1997 4th Received Bettis + 1996 3rd |
| Marshawn Lynch | 24 | 2010 | Bills → Seahawks | 2011 4th + conditional 2012 pick (became 5th) |
Given the available data, it will take at least a 2nd round pick and a mid-round pick to be in the conversation. Atlanta will probably push for a 1st but nobody will give that up for a running back, especially with Robinson’s contract issue. The McCaffrey deal is probably the ballpark you’re looking at, maybe a bit less since his contract was already situated when it happened.
Robinson would be a game-changer.
There are certain teams that could trade for him that wouldn’t make full use of his talents. That wouldn’t be the case in Chicago. Johnson is one of the best run-scheming coaches in the sport. It would be akin to giving McCaffrey to Kyle Shanahan or Saquon Barkley to Philadelphia. Expect elite production because the talent and coaching align perfectly. Alas, the Falcons are the big variable in this. New general manager Ian Cunningham comes from the Baltimore and Philadelphia schools of roster management.
You don’t let star players in their prime out the door unless they give you no other choice. They have $37 million in cap space. No big quarterback contract is on the horizon. This should be a no-brainer for Atlanta. It is a simple case of both sides not having settled on a number yet. Smart money says Bijan Robinson will end up the highest-paid running back in the league when the dust settles. That means at least $21 million a year. Chicago wasn’t in a good position to pay that anyway.
