D'Andre Swift ends long Bears drought with major NFL honor after Week 1

The Chicago Bears running back was named NFC Offensive Player of the Week on Wednesday after a dominant performance in Chicago's 59-37 victory over the Carolina Panthers. The NFL officially announced Swift as the conference's Week 1 winner after he rushed for 124 yards and three touchdowns on 18 carries.

It is Swift's second career Player of the Week award and his first since joining the Bears.

D'Andre Swift makes Bears history with Week 1 honor

Swift averaged 6.9 yards per carry against Carolina, scoring twice from one yard before putting an exclamation point on the Bears' historic afternoon with another touchdown in the fourth quarter.

His performance also came during a historic day for Chicago's rushing attack. Kyle Monangai added 100 yards and a touchdown on 10 carries, while Caleb Williams rushed for 65 yards and two scores. The Bears finished with 291 rushing yards and became just the fourth team in the Super Bowl era to have three players rush for at least 65 yards and a touchdown in the same game.

Swift's award also ends a lengthy drought for Bears running backs.

According to The Athletic's Kevin Fishbain, Swift is the first Bears player to win NFC Offensive Player of the Week for a Week 1 performance since Matt Forte in 2010. He's also the first Chicago running back to receive the award since Jordan Howard in Week 8 of the 2016 season.

The recognition comes only days after the Bears made a significant financial commitment to Swift, signing him to a three-year, $33.75 million extension with $27.5 million guaranteed.

One game into the extension, Swift is already providing a pretty good return on the Bears' investment.