After the Chicago Bears locked up the future of tackle Darnell Wright, the one offensive building block whose future is yet to be decided is D'Andre Swift. The back has taken part in camp and hasn't been forcing Chicago's hand as of yet, despite having every reason to attempt to leverage last season for a new deal. This speaks to the culture that head coach Ben Johnson has installed and Swift's focus on the upcoming season.
According to Bears pundit Zack Pearson, "Ben Johnson says he's been really impressed with RB D'Andre Swift so far in camp. Says he's right where they need him to be." This is building on what has been a great camp for Swift and continues to make the case that the Bears should come to the table and do what it takes to get a deal done. Watching Kenneth Walker leave the Seattle Seahawks despite winning Super Bowl MVP a season ago serves as a reminder that once you hit free agency, anything can happen.
The position remains relatively affordable, and Swift isn't going to be looking to reset the market. Last season, the rusher finished with 1,087 rushing yards on 4.9 yards-per-carry to go along with nine rushing touchdowns. It was a great performance for a player who is still only 27 and should have plenty of productive seasons left. Signing Swift on a 2-3 year extension locks in every building block and keeps a player rostered that Johnson clearly has a high level of respect for.
Ben Johnson's Praise of D'Andre Swift Serves as Reminder of Lingering Bears Decision
As great as Caleb Williams might be, no offense is going to reach its full potential without balance. Kyle Monangai has been incredibly physical and earned a contributing role, but there isn't a large enough sample size to clearly say the young back can step in and take the role of Swift in the 2027 season. With this in mind, the Bears should make it a priority to get a deal done over the next month of camp and preseason action.
It is an earned level of security for a player whose impact helps set the tone for the entire offense and takes pressure off Williams. Johnson has clearly been incredibly impressed with the playmaker as well, making it all the more difficult to believe the back is going to walk away.
For Swift, it makes sense to accept any reasonable offer with the physicality risks that the position invites, as well as the undeniable Super Bowl window that staying with the Bears will offer.
| More Bears News and Rumors |
Add us as a preferred source on Google