LAKE FOREST, Ill. (104.3 The Score) — As the Bears continue their ascension, head coach Ben Johnson continues to preach how his team can improve.
That includes the Bears' running game, which ranks second in the NFL in yards per game this season. It's the bread and butter of Johnson's offensive identity, but it hasn't been good enough in recent weeks in his mind.
"It's inconsistent," Johnson said. "And I know we started off hot early in the year just being able to run the football, but we have faced some tough opponents, and it's been a little bit spotty. We stick with it, though.
"I know that eventually we will break through. We’re too good up front not to do that."
The Bears averaged 232.8 rushing yards across their first four games. They've averaged 105.3 rushing yards per game in the four contests since. One big difference has been the absence of running back Kyle Monangai, who suffered injuries to his toe and right thumb in a win on Oct. 4 and has missed the four games since. In that win over the Jets on Oct. 4, Monangai carried 30 times for 146 yards and two scores.
Lead running back D'Andre Swift has struggled to get going. He has surpassed the 100-yard mark once – in the Bears' 59-37 win over the Panthers in their season opener. Swift hasn't rushed for more than 84 yards in the seven games since.
In the Bears' 34-17 win over the Seahawks on Monday in Seattle, Swift rushed 27 times for 69 yards, an average of just 2.6 yards per carry. He has been a big weapon in the red zone, already rushing for a career-high 10 touchdowns in just eight games. He had three scores in the win against the Seahawks.
Afterward, Johnson lauded the Seahawks' defense but also recognized the Bears can improve in their running game. Given that Johnson designs the entire running game, he's plenty focused on it.
"It is something we're committed to, and we put a lot of time and effort into this," Johnson said.
Getting Monangai back would certainly be a key step toward improving. The team is optimistic he's close to a return. That could perhaps come Sunday night, when the Bears host the Buccaneers in a primetime game at Soldier Field.
Monangai's return would allow the Bears to preserve Swift and help maximize him. Beyond that, Johnson knows well that an efficient, explosive running game takes everybody involved doing their part.
For Johnson, getting the running game back to its best form is part of the pursuit of perfection.
"It's a huge point of emphasis for us," Johnson said.
Chris Emma covers the Bears and the Chicago sports scene for 104.3 The Score.
