Coming off of what was a highly successful season for the Chicago Bears, it is hard to imagine that D’Andre Swift was actually in talks to get cut after last season. It was a slow start for him, but after the bye week, it seemed Ben Johnson, Eric Bieniemy and the rest of the coaching staff figured out the formula.
When Johnson was hired, most took note of how, in Detroit, Johnson and the Lions quickly replaced Swift with star running back Jahmyr Gibbs and Houston Texans David Montgomery, forming a fierce tandem that lit up stat sheets. However, he and Kyle Monangai proved to be a dynamic duo as well, and Swift is firmly still in the Bears’ plans for the short and potentially long term.
D’Andre Swift Receives Praise in Latest ESPN List
Sure, he might not have cracked the list for top 10 running backs straight up, but he did appear in the category “also receiving votes”. Meaning that while he might not have gotten enough votes to make it in, he at least, in some eyes, is considered top 10 worthy. Of course, the likes of Bijan Robinson, Gibbs and Saquon Barkley all maintain top three positions; it isn’t like Swift doesn’t get viewed at least as a top half running back. In fact, Last Word on NFL had him ranked squarely in the middle in NFC North.
The numbers do suggest that he does have good numbers in him, barring his health, of course. 5.4 yards per touch was the most for him since 2022. That season he averaged 6.3 yards per touch, and Swift compiled 1,386 scrimmage yards. That is his second consecutive season of 1,300+ scrimmage yards.
He also increased his yards per carry by 1.1 over the prior year. This was despite Monangai himself proving to be a capable back. So combined, the two have become the duo that Johnson almost seemingly had in Detroit.
The offensive side is loaded with talent for the Bears. Matter of fact, the Bears came in 16th on the list ESPN also dropped off the roster. Most of that is because of what the offensive side possesses. Caleb Williams is the face of the franchise for Chicago. Luther Burden, Colston Loveland and Rome Odunze lead a group of promising, young pass catchers.
Swift himself, along with Monangai , should provide similar numbers, assuming Johnson hasn’t lost his magic for the run game. Swift had some doubts after his first season in Chicago and once a new staff took over, but he feels he has proven to be worthy of being kept.
Offensive Identity Could Impact D’Andre Swift
Sure, there are a couple different points that Johnson makes clear about his offense. It is dynamic, tough to stop and explosive. The early portion of the Bears’ gains were on the ground. That old-school, smashmouth style is why the Bears offense is hard to grasp. Play the run? Well, Johnson could dial up a long pass play to take the top off. The Bears have an identity that they wanna run at you and through you.
However, it is reasonable to expect the passing attack to be further along now that most have gotten a year underneath them. That should only make the Bears better and harder to defend. The offensive line shuffle does persist as a question, but Garrett Bradbury is a solid, stable veteran. Logan Jones is a center that possesses the same skill that Drew Dalman did in 2025. Joe Thuney, Jonah Jackson and Darnell Wright are all still here, and as long as left tackle isn’t a giant hole, the Bears should still be able to move the ball comfortably.
Outlook for D’Andre Swift and the Chicago Bears
The Bears have a strong foundation in place. Swift currently is slotted as the 1A running back. Despite initial concerns, he is still on the roster and squarely in line for a decent amount of carries. I feel very good about the running backs going into 2026. It is the defensive side that holds a lot of concerns. However, Johnson sees this team’s identity through offense.
Main Photo Courtesy of David Banks – Imagn Images
