Editor’s note: We’re doing some different things to keep the Chicago Bears conversation going during the slowest part of the NFL calendar, during the summer just before training camp. We’re doing some roster projections, mailbags and divisional power rankings, and now we’re adding some debate to these proceedings. Enter our “Take a Side” series, where we’ll discuss a polarizing topic each Wednesday until the Bears report for camp. Let’s update a topic we’ve touched on before, about the Bears’ running backs.

The Bears essentially stood pat at running back. They added Kyle Monangai in the seventh round but nothing before that, in both the NFL draft and in free agency.

That shouldn’t infer a lack of desire or attempt. Sometimes a prospect doesn’t fall to you in a particular round. Sometimes a free agent chooses another opportunity or a bigger contract.

Bears general manager Ryan Poles is left with feature back D’Andre Swift, more physical runner Roschon Johnson and Monangai as the primary backfield options.

That allows us to bring up a topic that has been prevalent since the NFL draft. Things have changed a lot since then, so it’s worth examining the situation in an updated landscape.

Should the Bears add a running back before the start of camp?

Not anymore. Standing pat seems like the right thing to do.

Head coach Ben Johnson has praised Swift at most every turn, and Swift’s motivation seems sky high following a relatively disappointing first season in Chicago.

Johnson also gained a positive impression of Monangai during the offseason program. The Rutgers star was praised for his attention to detail and ability to pick up a new scheme. Whether that translates to a solid camp is uncertain, but Monangai is off to a good start.

Roschon Johnson is a former third-round pick who is a tough runner, and he probably deserved more carries than the previous staff gave him.

There’s another factor here. The staff didn’t sign several intriguing street free agents. That could be a sign that they’re good standing pat. Or maybe they didn’t want to invest a ton more in the position group.

Now J.K. Dobbins is in Denver. Nick Chubb is in Houston. Those might’ve been the top options, with largely older backs left available.

Jamaal Williams is over 30 and previously worked well with Johnson in Detroit, with 17 touchdowns in Johnson’s first year as Lions offensive coordinator. His per-carry average has dropped significantly since then, though a flyer’s never out of the question should Johnson not love his running backs in training camp.

Gus Edwards could provide some physicality at 238 pounds. He has averaged 4.7 yards per carry in his NFL career, but he had a career-low 3.6 yards per carry last season and just 4.1 before that.

We don’t know what the asking price is for those two, so it’s tough to paint a complete picture of the Bears’ intentions at this stage.

The Bears have options, but, at this point, it’s probably smarter for them to hang with the younger backs for the time being and revaluate things later in the summer.

Tell us what you think below in a Bair Mail submission.