Ben Johnson made it clear from the moment he arrived. He wanted to build the Chicago Bears‘ offensive identity through running the football. In his mind, it was the best way to help keep the quarterback protected and open up opportunities for big plays through play-action. He proved that point last season with the tandem of D’Andre Swift and rookie Kyle Monangai posting the #3 rushing attack in the NFL. One would think that success would convince Johnson that he doesn’t need to make any changes at the position.
However, history shows that Johnson is never settled at that position, even after a successful season. He might be proving it again. Draft insider Justin Melo informed SM that the Bears were showing considerable interest in North Dakota State running back Barika Kpeenu.
Kpeenu was a revelation this past season for the Bison, scoring 20 touchdowns. He was a part-time contributor to their national championship team in 2024 and carried the load in 2025, bypassing the transfer portal and waiting his turn. Such commitment feels rare these days, which is one reason the Bears like him.
Ben Johnson might be seeking his next David Montgomery.
One of the things that made his offense lethal in Detroit was signing the former Bears running back in 2023. His mixture of power, contact balance, and relentlessness made the Lions’ rushing attack a load to handle. While Monangai has the same toughness and balance, he lacks Montgomery’s size and overall power. Those are qualities Kpeenu regularly showcased for North Dakota State. He’s similar in size to Montgomery and has the mix of power and contact balance that makes him a load to bring down.
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He’s drawn comparisons to names like Damien Harris and Gus Edwards as well. While they aren’t what you’d call stars, they made huge contributions to the success of their teams. There is no law against Ben Johnson wanting to add more bodies to a position he views as key to his entire offense. That is especially true considering Swift is a free agent after this season. It would be wise for the Bears to seek some insurance and depth. It feels likely they could scoop up Kpeenu in the late rounds.
Here are some names he might remind you of.
| NFL Running Back | Key Stylistic Similarity | System Fit |
|---|---|---|
| Peyton Barber | downhill, one-cut power runner with a compact build. | Power/Gap |
| Audric Estimé | Violent, “tone-setting” style that seeks out contact to finish runs. | Power/Inside Zone |
| Jordan Howard | High-efficiency “no-nonsense” approach with strong forward lean. | Gap/Short Yardage |
| Gus Edwards | North-South specialist with a high motor and strong closing burst. | Heavy/North-South |
| Zack Moss | Elite contact balance and reliable “soft hands” in the passing game. | Multiple/Check-down |
Eric Studesville will play a big role in this.
The Bears hired the new running backs coach this past week to replace Eric Bieniemy. He has a long track record of helping teams find good players, including power runners. His best was probably Marshawn Lynch when he worked in Buffalo. If anybody can give Ben Johnson an idea of whether Kpeenu can hack it in the NFL, it will be Studesville. There is a strong probability he won’t be the only running back they’re looking at. They’ve already proven they can land good ones in the later rounds.
This is also a possible avenue for them to recruit him as a potential undrafted free agent. The Bears have shown a willingness to meet with players they like early in the process to lay the foundation. It is how they landed Tyson Bagent two years ago. If any position could yield a strong contributor in the undrafted ranks, it would be running back. Keep the name in mind as the draft process unfolds.
