The future of star running back D'Andre Swift remains an obvious offseason topic for the Chicago Bears as the rusher enters a contract year. It is understandable that the Bears might be hesitant to pay the rusher ahead of next year's free agency; however, this is the wrong way to approach the situation, understanding that the price for star players is always going up.
Swift is coming off a great 2025 season, rushing for 1,087 yards and adding in nine touchdowns and 34 receptions. Everything about the playmaker's performance points to the unavoidable fact that the Bears should avoid any future contract drama and get a deal done. The price for running backs is surprisingly reasonable, with the Dallas Cowboys and Javonte Williams serving as an applicable example from the 2026 offseason.
Williams was re-signed to a three-year deal worth $24 million with $16 million in guarantees. This is a very reasonable deal that matches what the Bears should offer Swift in an effort to go ahead and get a deal done and offer themselves a great deal of control around the team's best playmakers.
Re-signing Swift would lock up the back as well as already having Luther Burden, Rome Odunze, and Colston Loveland under long-term team control. All of a sudden Caleb Williams has the stability of relying on a run game in place beyond just the 2026 season.
Bears Must Go Ahead and Re-Sign D'Andre Swift Taking Away 2027 Free Agency Risk
It isn't just the fact that Swift is going to grow more expensive, but also the risk of losing the rusher to free agency without another viable answer. The Kansas City Chiefs were able to steal Kenneth Walker away from the Seattle Seahawks this offseason despite the back being an important piece to a Super Bowl run and winning Super Bowl MVP for the Seahawks.
To put it simply, there simply isn't a viable argument against going ahead and making the move and removing a looming cloud over the back's future. With Swift re-signed, you have a level of offensive stability that allows the franchise to fully focus on continuing to establish itself among the NFC's top contenders.
Going ahead and paying Swift also removes any potential frustration from the veteran in sharing carries with Kyle Monangai, concerned as to how this might impact his free agency price. Every reason the Bears have for getting a deal done is compelling, and Swift's camp is likely to consider a lower deal if they are given instant stability.
This is what Chicago has the power to offer and must find a way to get the deal done ahead of the offseason. Swift is far too important an offensive piece to risk letting walk away just when things are finally going Chicago's way.
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