Bears Signing Shocking New Running Back to Begin Free Agency
By Jovan Alford
The Chicago Bears are projected to have the fourth-most cap space heading into NFL free agency ($62.7 million per Over The Cap), which means they will be big players on the open market as they look to make a playoff push in 2024.
One position that the Bears will look to upgrade this offseason is running back. The Bears have been connected to former New York Giants star running back Saquon Barkley. However, they went in an entirely different direction.
Bears Rumors: Chicago Making a Major Push for D’Andre Swift
Mike Garafolo of the NFL Network reported on Monday that the Bears have agreed to terms with D’Andre Swift on a three-year, $24 million deal.
The #Bears have agreed to terms with RB D’Andre Swift on a three-year, $24 million deal, sources tell me and @RapSheet.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) March 11, 2024
After a career year with the #Eagles, Swift heads to Chicago to be a big piece in Shane Waldron’s offense. pic.twitter.com/K1lLFj3Adc
Swift has gotten lost in the FA running back shuffle this offseason as most of the attention has been focused on Barkley, Derrick Henry, and Tony Pollard. However, the 25-year-old running back became the first RB to sign in free agency.
The former University of Georgia standout is coming off an outstanding 2023 season with the Philadelphia Eagles. Swift joined the Eagles last offseason after being traded by the Detroit Lions during NFL draft weekend.
The 5-foot-9 running back showed the NFL world that he can stay healthy and be productive behind one of the best offensive lines in the NFL. Swift had 1,049 rushing yards (career-high) and five touchdowns on 229 carries. He wasn’t a significant factor in the Eagles’ passing game last season. But he still found a way to record 39 receptions (49 targets) for 214 yards and a touchdown.
The Bears will hope that Swift can duplicate that production in the Windy City as the Bears went with a running back-by-committee approach last season with D’Onta Foreman, Khalil Herbert, and Roschon Johnson.
Chicago adding Swift to its backfield isn’t a major needle mover as they still have the third-best odds to win the NFC North (+400 on FanDuel Sportsbook). However, it’s a good first start as the team works on building an offense around potential No. 1 pick Caleb Williams.
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