Heartbreaking announcement: Bears Officials Indicate Ashton Jeanty Isn’t the Only Running Back Under………..
As the 2025 NFL Draft rapidly approaches, the Chicago Bears find themselves in a pivotal position with the 10th overall pick. For weeks, rumors have circulated that the team has zeroed in on Boise State star running back Ashton Jeanty, a dynamic playmaker who’s drawn comparisons to elite-level NFL talent due to his agility, vision, and production at the collegiate level. However, comments from team officials this week suggest the Bears’ front office is keeping its options wide open — particularly when it comes to the running back position.
In a press conference on Monday, Bears General Manager Ryan Poles addressed speculation surrounding the team’s interest in Jeanty, offering a broader view of their draft strategy.
“Ashton Jeanty is a terrific player, no doubt,” Poles said. “He’s someone we’ve done our homework on. But I think it’s important to remember that there’s a very deep class of running backs this year, and we’re looking at multiple prospects who can make an impact for our team — whether that’s at pick ten or later in the draft.”
Poles’ statement, while complimentary of Jeanty, served as a clear signal that the Bears are evaluating several options at running back, some of whom may offer comparable value either later in the first round or even on Day 2 of the draft. Sources close to the organization say the team has hosted private visits or conducted virtual interviews with at least four running backs projected to go in the top 50 picks — among them, Michigan’s Donovan Edwards, Florida State’s Trey Benson, and Wisconsin’s Braelon Allen.
Head Coach Matt Eberflus echoed a similar sentiment during his own media availability, emphasizing the need for versatility and depth on offense.
“We’re trying to build an offense that’s unpredictable and explosive,” Eberflus said. “That means not just having a strong quarterback or receiving corps, but also a backfield that can create mismatches and keep defenses honest. We’re looking at backs who can catch out of the backfield, run between the tackles, pass protect — the whole package.”
This holistic approach to evaluating talent appears to be at the heart of Chicago’s draft philosophy in 2025. While Jeanty offers impressive tape — including back-to-back 1,000-yard rushing seasons and a 6.1 yards-per-carry average — the Bears may be intrigued by other prospects who bring a different skill set or better fit the team’s evolving offensive scheme.
Florida State’s Trey Benson, for example, offers a combination of size and speed that scouts say is rare in this year’s draft. Measuring in at 6’1”, 223 pounds, Benson clocked a 4.38-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine — numbers that make him one of the most physically gifted backs available. He also impressed teams with his receiving ability and special teams experience, areas where Jeanty’s résumé is still developing.
Meanwhile, Donovan Edwards of Michigan enters the conversation as a high-upside prospect with significant big-game experience. His standout performance in the 2023 College Football Playoff, where he amassed over 200 all-purpose yards, remains fresh in the minds of scouts and executives alike.
“Donovan’s a guy who’s been battle-tested,” said Bears running backs coach Omar Young. “He’s played against top-tier defenses and delivered when it counted. That kind of poise and confidence — you can’t teach that.”
Additionally, Braelon Allen, a bruising power back from Wisconsin, has reportedly been climbing draft boards thanks to his physicality and NFL-ready frame. Allen, who declared for the draft after three productive seasons, offers a north-south style that could appeal to a team looking to establish a more physical ground game.
Still, Jeanty remains a strong candidate for the Bears, particularly given his dual-threat capabilities and his football IQ, which reportedly impressed Chicago’s coaching staff during interviews. In fact, league insiders say Jeanty has become one of the most polarizing players in the draft — viewed by some as a surefire star, and by others as a potential reach at No. 10 given the positional value debate that continues to swirl around running backs in the modern NFL.
“When you’re picking in the top ten, you have to weigh every decision carefully,” said Poles. “That means not just looking at talent, but also fit, durability, positional value, and how the player complements the rest of your roster.”
The Bears’ current depth chart at running back includes veteran Khalil Herbert, 2023 rookie Roschon Johnson, and free-agent addition D’Onta Foreman, but none of the three have firmly established themselves as a long-term RB1 option. While each back brings something to the table, the front office is clearly searching for a game-changer — a player who can take pressure off newly acquired quarterback Caleb Williams and help balance the offense.
In that light, selecting a running back at No. 10 could be justified if the Bears truly believe the right player could become a cornerstone of their offensive identity. However, the growing consensus among analysts is that the team may explore a trade-down scenario to acquire additional draft capital and still land one of the top running backs later in the first round.
“They’re in a great position to be flexible,” said ESPN draft analyst Todd McShay. “If they stay at 10, Jeanty is a viable pick. But if they move back five to seven spots, they might still get Benson or Edwards and pick up a second-rounder in the process. That’s a win-win.”
As draft day looms, the Bears continue to play their cards close to the vest. But one thing is clear: Ashton Jeanty is not the only name on their board — and the final decision at No. 10 may come down to how the board falls and whether a deal materializes in the hours leading up to the pick.
“We’re prepared for every scenario,” Poles said. “Whether we stay put, move up, or trade back, we’re going to come out of the first round with a player who makes us better — that’s the goal.”
Only time will tell if that player is Ashton Jeanty or another rising star in a deep and diverse running back class.
