The Chicago Bears had a big decision to make when it came to running back D’Andre Swift. He was coming off of a career year and was entering the last year of his deal with the Bears. Would the Bears buy high and extend him, or ask him to prove it for another year, knowing it could burn them down the line?
Chicago took the safe approach and gave Swift an extension before the season started. Swift signed a three-year, $33.75M extension. With $27.5M in new guaranteed money, it guarantees Swift will be on the Bears for at least the next two seasons.
Chicago Bears Give D’Andre Swift Big Extension Before 2026 Season Starts
Swift initially signed a three-year, $24M deal with the Bears. So, his average value per year went up from $8M per year to over $11M per year. He now jumps David Montgomery, Chuba Hubbard, Ashton Jeanty, Rhamondre Stevenson, and Kyren Williams on the highest-paid running backs list.
His deal will come in just below James Cook, who signed a four-year, $46M extension with $30M in guaranteed money. This will make Swift the 14th highest-paid running back. When it comes to guaranteed salary, he will be the 11th highest-paid running back.
The deal appears to be fair on both sides. Chicago signed Swift coming off of a career-high 1,049-yard season with the Philadelphia Eagles. Prior to that, his career-high was 617 yards.
He was used as a part-time player and was not quite a fit with the Detroit Lions. However, he produced 959 yards in a poor offense that had two different play callers in Chicago in 2024.
When Ben Johnson was hired, there was a question of how he would fit. Johnson was with Detroit in 2022, when Swift was not a fit. However, Swift has been dynamic in the version of the offense that is in Chicago.
In 2025, Swift had 1,087 yards on the ground and 299 yards as a pass catcher. He is only 27 years old, and after being used sparingly early in his career, the team decided he has enough left to extend him.
While there were questions about Kyle Monangai taking on a bigger role and pushing into the Swift workload, this deal should confirm what most Bears fans have seen this offseason. Swift will remain the lead back, and Monangai will remain a complement.
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