The Chicago Beas may have found the running back of the future in Kyle Monangai, but there's no need to rush things. D'Andre Swift is still there, and he'll be the team's primary ball-carrier — at least on paper — until stated otherwise.
Next season is particularly important for the former Detroit Lion. He's entering the final year of his contract, and while he's said all the right things about wanting to stay, there's no loyalty and no guarantees in this line of business.
That's why he knows he'll have to earn everything out of the mud in 2026. When asked about his approach to training camp in a contract season, the veteran running back knows he just has to stay on top of the little things.
D'Andre Swift knows how to stay in Ben Johnson's good side
“[By] being on my details as much as possible,” Swift told the NFL Network. “Just making sure I am on my P’s and Q’s when I’m out there.“
Swift was already familiar with Ben Johnson from their days with the Lions. That's why he also knows that this is the time of the year to make a strong impression and let him know that he can trust him when it actually counts:
“The detail that Ben [Johnson] installs with and the variety of the amount of runs we have,” Swift added. “You have to do your due diligence as far as study and things like that to know what he’s asking you to do and go out there and perform.”
The Bears' running game got off to a slow start last season, but they broke out once their new-look offensive line meshed. Monangai hit a rookie wall late in the campaign, but they still managed to rush for 2,456 rushing yards, the third-most in the league.
Swift survived trade rumors and was the teams' leading ball-carrier, turning 223 carries into 1,087 yards (4.9 yards per carry) and nine touchdowns. His 67.9 yards per game may not pop up, but sharing touches with Monangai helped him stay sharp and fresh, especially late in games.
He's now in the final year of a $24 million pact. At 27, not many running backs manage to cash in on another lucrative deal before riding into the sunset, so motivation should be at an all-time high to earn himself some green, whether it's in Chicago or elsewhere.
The Bears will most likely lean on Monangai more next season, with both taking a 50-50 approach to their carries. That will inevitably lead to more trade speculation about Swift, but he's been there, done that, and knows how to focus on what matters.
The devil is in the details, and while the writing might be on the wall, Swift will continue to be a pro's pro and show up ready to work for as long as he's a Bear.
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