Life is good for D’Andre Swift right now. He is coming off of a career-year, he just signed a big extension before the year started and to kick off his 2026 season, the had one of the best games of his career. Swift had 18 rushes for 124 yards and a career-high three touchdowns in the Chicago Bears 59-37 win over the Carolina Panthers.
It led to head coach Ben Johnson finally clearing the air on how he really feels about the running back that he did not utilize well enough in Detroit, but is getting the most out of in Chicago.
“He’s really an all-purpose back as far as I'm concerned. He's a lot stronger than what people think.” said Johnson.
Ben Johnson Praises Chicago Bears RB D’Andre Swift
Swift had a reputation early in his career with the Lions that he was more of a speed back, or a change of pace back. However, Johnson set the record clear that is not how he views Swift.
“He's willing to go for those hard yards and run in between the tackles. He can put his shoulder down, drive the pile, and yet he still has the speed to where he can be an explosive play on the perimeter as well,” Johnson added. “So, I've always seen him as more of an all-purpose back than putting any certain type of label on him. I'm just really proud of how he's grown to become at this point. He's a huge part of what we do here on offense.”
With this start, Swift could be off to another career year in his second year in the Bears offense under Johnson.
Swift was drafted by the Detroit Lions in 2020. However, the coach and General Manager that drafted him were fired after one season. Head coach Dan Campbell and GM Brad Holmes did not give him as much of a chance.
Ben Johnson took over playcalling for the Lions late into 2021 and was promoted to offensive coordinator in 2022. Swift only had 99 rushes for 542 yards in that season.
Then, the Lions traded him to the Philadelphia Eagles that offseason. Swift has had a strong career since. Johnson is making it clear that while Campbell and Holmes were not high on Swift, but he was. So, while he had control of the offense in 2022, it might not have been the same free reign he had in 2024 before he left.
His usage of Swift can speak to that.
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