The Chicago Bears should use the Derrick Henry contract extension as an idea creator.
The Baltimore Ravens, in committing two more years and $30 million more to Henry, might have an expendable running back or two deeper down the depth chart. And the Bears could use an RB upgrade after D'Andre Swift put up his worst season in the NFL.
The name to circle: Keaton Mitchell.
Mitchell has played parts of two seasons in the NFL after being signed as an undrafted free agent out of East Carolina in spring 2023.
He was amazing in his first year, rushing 47 times for 396 yards and a couple scores. That worked out to an absurd 8.4 yards per carry.
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Mitchell got hurt and couldn't ever really get healthy in 2024, rushing just 15 times for 30 yards.
He'd come at a low cost but still potentially have a high reward.
Mitchell will spend the entire 2025 season at 23 years old.
He's 5-foot-8 and 191 pounds, maybe not a full-time lead back. But under new Bears coach Ben Johnson, he'd fit as the Jahmyr Gibbs half of the combo that Johnson had when he was the Lions' offensive coordinator.
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Baltimore might prefer to hold Mitchell given his potential upside.
But the Ravens won't use Mitchell much in 2025 if everyone stays healthy, because they've still got third-down back Justice Hill.
Mitchell's best opportunity to reestablish himself might come elsewhere, and Chicago seems like a worthy destination.
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