The Chicago Bears' decision to sign free-agent running back D'Andre Swift to a three-year, $24 million contract with $15.3 million in guarantees was initially met with mixed reviews. Swift is coming off an impressive season in which he rushed for a career-high 1,049 yards with the Philadelphia Eagles. The former second-round selection cashed in appropriately via his lucrative agreement with the Bears.
Bears general manager Ryan Poles is taking a risk considering Swift suffered recurring injuries with the Detroit Lions (2020-22). The former Georgia standout stayed generally healthy for the Eagles last season. The Bears hope Swift's new-found health continues building positive momentum.
The Bears require more productivity from their backfield in 2024, and that obviously begins with Swift given the financial commitment. The offense fielded the league's second-ranked rushing attack last season at 141.1 yards per contest, but that was largely a result of Justin Fields' rushing prowess. Fields led the team in rushing with 657 yards.
CBS Sports recently ranked the top 20 running backs in the league. Unsurprisingly, Christian McCaffrey and Derrick Henry topped the list. Swift clocked in at a respectable No. 18.
"In his first and only season behind the Philadelphia Eagles" vaunted offensive line (76.5 Pro Football Focus run-blocking grade, third best in the NFL in 2023), Swift broke the 1,000-yard mark for the first time in his four-year career with 1,049 rushing yards, the fifth most in the NFL last season," CBS
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