Ahead of the start of free agency, the Chicago Bears continue to make moves to improve the roster. They bolstered the running game by signing D’Andre Swift.
The NFL’s free agency in the new year begins on Wednesday. The Chicago Bears will be among the busiest teams, looking for players who can help add wins. General Manager Ryan Poles has already been busy, making several signings.
Over the past week, Poles traded for center/guard Ryan Bates, re-signed cornerback Jaylon Johnson and long snapper Patrick Scales. He also signed safety Kevin Byard. Those signings were just a warmup. Today, Poles bolstered the running back unit by signing D’Andre Swift.
Swift, 25, just had the best season of his career. He rushed for 1,049 yards and 5 touchdowns. Additionally, he had 39 catches and 214 receiving yards. In his career, he has 2,729 rushing yards with 23 touchdowns. He adds 1,412 receiving yards and 8 touchdowns.
Swift was the Detroit Lions’ second-round pick in 2020. He signs a three-year, $24 million deal. Of course, the deal is not official until the start of the new league year on Wednesday at 4 PM Eastern.
.@DAndreSwift is on his way to the Windy City 🐻 pic.twitter.com/RyfIzQyStQ
— NFL (@NFL) March 11, 2024
In 2023, the Lions, who picked up former Chicago Bears running back David Montgomery and drafted Jahmyr Gibbs, traded Swift to the Philadelphia Eagles. Now he cashes in and returns to the NFC North.
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Swift now becomes the Chicago Bears’ starting running back. Khalil Herbert was the starter last season but injuries limited him to 12 games. Injuries also affected him in 2022 as he played in 13 games.
The Bears also have Roschon Johnson as RB3. The Bears are high on him as well. Chicago, who ranked first and second in rushing the last two seasons, has a terrific trio of running backs. They have a good mix of players who can outrun the defense to make big runs, run over defenders, and catch passes out of the backfield.
The unit is more balanced now as well. Yes, the Chicago Bears have been great the last two seasons. However, quarterback Justin Fields led the team in rushing with 1,143 yards in 2022. In 2023, he and backup quarterback Tyson Bagent rushed for 766 (with Fields rushing for 657 of them), nearly one-third of the team’s total rushing yards.
A Swift-Johnson could be an interesting situation. They complement each other very well. They can either run down opponents and wear them down late in games and they both can catch passes out of the backfield.
There were reports that the Chicago Bears would be in on the bigger names at running backs. They were linked to Saquon Barkley and Josh Jacobs. However, as we’ve seen with Poles in his now three years in Chicago, he is disciplined with his money. He will not overspend and instead will look for high-upside, bargain deals. Swift is a young, athletic player, a profile that fits what Poles looks for in his players.
Now with one area of need checked off, Poles and the Chicago Bears need a few more. They have a big need at wide receiver. Additionally, they have yet to answer the huge question that people around the league are waiting to hear — what does he do with the top pick of the NFL Draft in April.
Does Poles trade the pick or use it on Caleb Williams? On the other hand, does he trade the pick for a monumental haul and keep Justin Fields at quarterback?