The Chicago Bears appear content to head into the 2026 season without D'Andre Swift locked up beyond the upcoming season. Swift is coming off a great 2025 performance with 1,087 rushing yards, 34 receptions, and nine rushing touchdowns on the season. It was the type of year that made it clear how important Swift is to the current construction of the offense. Going into the season without an extension in place is a mistake that could hurt Chicago's offense.
Looking around the league, a clear example of this level of risk jumps out. The Seattle Seahawks are the defending Super Bowl champions and yet were unable to keep Kenneth Walker, who jumped to the Kansas City Chiefs in free agency. The league's defending champs gambled with Walker's future and lost, putting themselves in a position to struggle at a key position.
For Swift, it isn't difficult to imagine another great season from the back within the system of Ben Johnson. One that would put the playmaker in high demand and leave a huge risk that the veteran is a prized free agent. This is especially likely when you consider that Swift is likely to be featured in the team's deep playoff run.
Bears Veteran Running Back D'Andre Swift Deserves Extension Ahead of 2026 Season
Chicago opting to extend the veteran back should be well within the team's price range, considering Swift's age and the current market. A comparable extension price would be the Dallas Cowboys and Javonte Williams. The current Cowboy rushed for 1,201 yards and 11 touchdowns a season ago. This set the Cowboys up to re-sign the back to a deal worth $24 million over the next three seasons. No question, it was the right decision for Dallas, and a similar deal should get done in Chicago.
Swift's camp is unlikely to reject this stability and should welcome the chance to remain in the offense of Caleb Williams and Ben Johnson. Financial stability, as well as a chance to be paired with one of the league's most talented young quarterbacks, should be ranked above the risk of playing out the season and hitting the open market.
The Bears not attacking the contract as a clear remaining issue would be a mistake. One that they have plenty of time to remedy, with just under two months until the season begins. No question, the Bears need to get a deal done and take away one of the few future concerns remaining.
| More Bears News and Rumors |
Add us as a preferred source on Google