The Chicago Bears are set to hit the next major stop of the offseason when the 2025 NFL draft begins Thursday night. Bears fans can't wait to see what general manager Ryan Poles does with his stockpile of selections, especially the team's quartet of top-75 picks highlighted by the No. 10 choice.
Even though the Bears' outlook is already promising, the future can get brighter within the next few days via trade. Draft-day trades are a tradition at the annual event, and it wouldn't be surprising if Chicago tried to increase its draft pick count by shopping a certain offensive playmaker while in Green Bay, WI, this week.
Bears RB D'Andre Swift Could Be on Trade Block Before NFL Draft
One Bears veteran whose future with the team isn't secure is running back D'Andre Swift. Despite signing a three-year, $24 million contract with the Bears last offseason, there are a few reasons why the former Georgia Bulldog might not finish his contract in Chicago.
On paper, Swift's first year with the Bears wasn't horrible. The 26-year-old runner tallied 959 rushing yards on 253 carries and 386 receiving yards on 42 catches, scoring a total of six touchdowns across his 17 appearances. Having said that, the 3.8 yards per carry and 4.6 yards per touch were both new career lows, leaving fans to wonder if his performance is on the decline now.
On top of that, there's no telling if Swift will thrive under first-year head coach Ben Johnson. Even though Johnson was the veteran RB's offensive coordinator with the 2022 Detroit Lions, their partnership wasn't anything to write home about, as it was the only time in the last four seasons that Swift failed to break 1,000 scrimmage yards.
Additionally, the Bears' draft plans could spell bad news for the Philadelphia native.
With the No. 10 pick in this year's draft, the Bears have often been linked to top RB prospect Ashton Jeanty. The Boise State difference-maker is clearly open to playing under Johnson next season and beyond, and it's hard not to love what he'd bring to the table after pacing the nation in carries (374) and ground yards (2,601) with an MWC-leading 29 rushing TDs mixed in along the way.
Whether they have to trade up to draft Jeanty or he falls in their lap, the Bears would likely send Swift packing if they add the dynamic rookie. Spotrac lists Chicago as saving over $6.66 million with a draft-day deal ($8 million after June 1), which are the kind of savings GM Poles can't ignore if he wants to continue building a playoff contender.
While some fans would be sad to see him go, Swift's potential exit is necessary if it means improving the backfield. If the Bears leave the draft with Jeanty or another highly-touted RB, it's safe to assume Swift won't be on the 53-man roster come September.