Chicago Bears running back Roschon Johnson is ready for what figures to be the most consequential season of his professional football career. Johnson is in the final year of his rookie contract under a different coaching staff than the one that drafted him.
“Let’s rock,” Johnson captioned a post on Instagram on September 6, mostly of pre- and postgame, and practice.
His message drew attention.
Bears RB Roschon Johnson Sends Message Before Panthers Game
Teammates Past & Present React to Message From Bears RB
“two three,” Bears wide receiver Jahdae Walker posted in the comment section of Johnson’s post. Rome Odunze and Tyrique Stevenson both shared emojis, as did new Bears offensive tackle Christian Jones.
Former Bears running back Ian Wheeler, now of the Buffalo Bills’ practice squad, said, “Yeah Ro [flame emoji,” while former Texas Longhorns teammates Bijan Robinson (Atlanta Falcons) and Jonathon Brooks (Carolina Panthers) chimed in, too.
Robinson said, “Sheeen [saluting face and hands together/praying emojis,” while Brooks added, “Big bruh [flame emoji].”
Former Bears safety Adrian Colbert posted, “Ro!!”
Current Bears running back Brittain Brown said, “Big bodie moving [flame emoji],” and Bears cornerback got in on the strong support for Johnson, liking the post the veteran sent on the eve of their first practice of Week 1 of the 2026 regular season.
Roschon Johnson Heading Into Critical Campaign
Johnson arrived in Chicago with plenty of buzz, particularly for a fourth-round pick. The Bears selected Johnson 115th overall in 2023. He is one of four players the Bears selected in that draft who remains on the roster heading into Week 1 against the Carolina Panthers.
Just two of the four players selected ahead of him–first-round pick Darnell Wright and Tyrique Stevenson, the second of two Bears second-round picks that year–remain.
Those odds do not bode well for Robinson.
He has rushed for 519 yards and 8 touchdowns on 138 carries in his career, appearing in 36 games, all as a backup. He has another 313 yards on 50 receptions and is a regular contributor on special teams.
Johnson’s production arguably belies his contributions, but it remains unclear if that will be enough to get him back in Chicago.
NFL teams value players who can fit a variety of roles, particularly lower on the depth chart.
Bears starter D’Andre Swift, who is also in a contract year, is certainly not going to handle special teams duties. Second-year RB2, who usurped Johnson for the role last offseason, did not play special teams as a rookie and is not in line to do so this year.
That could be Johnson’s ticket to another contract with the Bears. However, the Bears could also feel they can replace that spot on the roster with another mid-to-late-round draft pick.
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