The Chicago Bears bolstered their depth at the running back position during the 2023 NFL Draft, as they selected former Texas standout Roschon Johnson with the No. 115 overall pick.

It seems like it was always meant to be with Johnson and the Bears.

On Wednesday, the Longhorn Network’s official Twitter account shared a photo of Johnson donning a Bears crewneck sweatshirt while sitting in one of his classes at Texas last year.

The Bears’ call to haul in Johnson during last month’s NFL Draft sure surprised many around the league. In the big picture, Chicago did not enter this year’s NFL Draft in dire need of reinforcements at the running back position, especially after it signed D’Onta Foreman to a one-year deal in March.

Moreover, Johnson noted after the Bears selected him in the fourth round that he did not have “much contact” with the team ahead of the draft. He scheduled top-30 visits with multiple teams, but he did not have such a meeting with Chicago.

Article Continues Below
More Chicago Bears News
Chicago Bears wide receiver Rome Odunze (15) makes a catch against Detroit Lions cornerback Amik Robertson (21) during the second half at Soldier Field in Chicago, Ill. on Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024.
Rome Odunze’s hardest part of first year to inspire confidenceMalik Brown ·
New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) reacts following a loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium. Barry Reeger-Imagn Images
When Aaron Rodgers will face Packers, Bears in 2025 NFL seasonJake Faigus ·
Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson (R) looks on during the Rookie Minicamp at Halas Hall.
Insider reveals Bears Ben Johnson’s massive 2-week impact on Caleb WilliamsJake Faigus ·
San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium.
ESPN gives 49ers, Bears, Patriots best chance of biggest turnaroundDouglas Fritz ·
May 9, 2025; Lake Forest, IL, USA; Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson (R) speaks during the Rookie Minicamp at Halas Hall. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
Bears fans loving Ben Johnson’s constructive Caleb Williams criticismBen Strauss ·
Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson answers questions from the media during the NFL Annual League Meeting.
Bears’ DJ Moore reveals Ben Johnson’s body language warningJosh Davis ·

Nonetheless, the Bears aimed to bolster their depth at this position and believed that Johnson would fit right in with the team.

“Doing our research prior to the draft, he fit the culture that we have here and that hasn't changed in the two days he's been here,” running backs coach David Walker said earlier this month. “He's a smart, conscientious kid. He works hard, and he's going to be the best version of himself every day. Can't ask for much more than that.”

Bears special teams coordinator Richard Hightower touched base with Johnson during the team’s rookie minicamp schedule, and he had a strong first impression of the former Texas running back.

“He is a phenomenal human being first and foremost,” Hightower said earlier this month. “Just in terms of his attention to detail, we had pop quizzes [Saturday morning]. He stood up in the room and got all of his answers 100 percent correct. So it shows me from a football standpoint that he's dialed in.”

Johnson sure is looking ahead to Chicago’s upcoming OTAs. Day 1 of the Bears’ OTAs schedule is set for May 22.