The Chicago Bears' running game got off to a slow start to the season, but it's been one of the hottest in the league for a while now. First-year head coach Ben Johnson preached patience with the new offensive line, and time proved he was right, especially when it comes to the run game's recent turnaround.
However, as good as running back D'Andre Swift has been lately, he might still be inching closer to the end of the line in the Windy City. He has one year left in his contract, and the Bears might pounce on the opportunity to sell high on him.
D'Andre Swift Is Driving Up His Trade Value
Swift didn't reach 80 rushing yards in any of the first four games, and he looked like a prime trade candidate at times. He's topped 80 rushing yards in all but two games since, and that includes three performances with at least 100 rushing yards.
The former Detroit Lions star is up to 774 rushing yards and five rushing touchdowns on 160 carries, and he's averaging a respectable 4.8 yards per attempt. So, why would the Bears even consider trading him? Well, for starters, he's going to command an $8.3 million cap hit next season, and the Bears have also found another stud RB in rookie Kyle Monangai.
The Bears have given their seventh-round rookie a longer leash lately. He's logged double-digit carries in three consecutive games, and he's responded by rushing for a touchdown in each of those games. His career-best effort against the Philadelphia Eagles (130 yards and one touchdown on 22 carries) made him look like this team's long-term answer.
Monangai had already shown flashes of his hard-hitting running style, but Johnson chose to bring him up slowly, just like he's done with fellow rookies Colston Loveland and Luther Burden III. Now, he looks ready to embrace a bigger role.
So far, Monangai has averaged 4.9 yards per carry, logging 591 rushing yards on 121 attempts. It isn't unfathomable to imagine his numbers skyrocketing if Swift is removed from the equation.
The Bears' backfield's late-season surge should also make other teams realize that Swift might be an attainable target at the right price. And if he continues to put up big numbers to close out the season, that trade value as a potential extension candidate will only go up. The Bears don't necessarily need to pull the plug on him, but with a replacement already in the building, they will be wise to at least listen to some offers.