The Chicago Bears have a chance to make some noise coming out of the bye week after starting 2-2 and win a statement game against the Washington Commanders on Monday Night Football. But there’s still a lingering problem in Chicago: the run game. The Bears currently rank 24th in the league with an average of 102.2 rushing yards per game. If the team wants to spice things up in the backfield, they could make a trade for Baltimore Ravens running back Keaton Mitchell.
Bears Should Trade for Ravens RB Keaton Mitchell
The Ravens, starting the season with a disappointing 1-4 record, are already sellers. They traded pass rusher Odafe Oweh to the Los Angeles Chargers earlier this week, and the trades might not stop there.
According to Connor Burke of the Ebonybird, Mitchell is the “odd man out” in Baltimore, stating the 23-year-old speedster has the potential but hasn’t been given many opportunities behind a loaded running back room.
One day, when Keaton Mitchell leaves this team because “we didn’t have space for him” we’re all gonna look back and regret pic.twitter.com/15JStGXJM1
— RavensMuse (@Ravensmusee) September 26, 2025
“They have so much talent scattered around the field that some unfortunately cannot be on the active roster come gameday,” Burke wrote. “It is a great problem to have. However, some of those are young players loaded with potential, including third-year running back Keaton Mitchell. Mitchell has been a healthy scratch through two weeks of action. It is becoming crystal clear that he is piled under a stacked running back room. …Mitchell is the odd man out. He is simply too talented to keep off the field, and the Ravens may have to come to terms with him being a potential trade candidate.”
If that’s the case, the Bears should be the first ones on the phone to check on Mitchell’s availability.
Shaking Up the Running Back Room
Mitchell is best known for his electric speed, breaking off for long runs when given the opportunity. In 2023, he had 47 carries for 396 yards and two touchdowns. However, this season hasn’t presented many opportunities for him, as he has appeared in just one game, with only three carries for eight yards.
Mitchell talked about his season debut, saying, “There ain’t no pressure. Just another opportunity to get another shot at that and get the feel of it.”
If the Bears don’t want to incorporate Roschon Johnson or Kyle Monangai more on offense, then why not trade for someone with fresh legs who can ignite a struggling backfield?
Starting RB D’Andre Swift is averaging just 3.3 yards on 56 carries for 187 yards, and having someone who can change the speed of the game in the backfield would be a major help for this Bears’ offense.
No matter what happens, something has to change in the backfield for the Bears. Whether they trade for someone like Mitchell or start to incorporate other running backs, the Bears need to get the run game going, or else they’ll be in trouble.
Main Image: Rafael Suanes – Imagn Images
