Bears free agency rumor links Chicago to $12 million star running back

The Chicago Bears are entering the offseason with a ton of optimism, as Ben Johnson's squad won the NFC North and a playoff game in 2025.

General manager Ryan Poles will look to bolster his division-winning roster this offseason and turn the Bears into a legitimate Super Bowl contender in the NFC. Poles could do so by acquiring a dynamic running back who has been linked to  Chicago in free agency.

According to NFL insider Tony Pauline of Essentially Sports, league insiders believe the Bears will pursue Jacksonville Jaguars free agent running back Travis Etienne in the spring.

"League insiders have long believed the Chicago Bears will be suitors for Etienne if he hits free agency. This is despite having a solid 1-2 punch with D’Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai," Pauline wrote.

Etienne had a productive season in 2025, tallying 1,107 rushing yards and seven scores. He added six scores through the air with 292 yards.

If Jacksonville doesn't re-sign Etienne, Chicago would be an electric landing spot. Etienne would be an ideal fit in Johnson's offense and form a dynamic duo with either Kyle Monangai or D'Andre Swift in the backfield, assuming the Bears move on from one to make room for Etienne, likely Swift.

Spotrac projects Etienne will land a deal worth just below $7 million annually, which is a fair price for the star running back. The Bears will need to create some cap space to sign the Jaguars playmaker, but they can make it work.

We'll see what the future holds for Etienne, but there's no denying that the Clemson product would take the Bears' offense to another level.

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