Bears Sign RB D’Andre Swift to a Three-Year Contract
The Bears continued their very active offseason Monday agreeing to a contract with Eagles starting running back D’Andre Swift. Mike Garafolo from the NFL Network reports the deal is for three years and $24 million.
The #Bears have agreed to terms with RB D’Andre Swift on a three-year, $24 million deal, sources tell me and @RapSheet.
After a career year with the #Eagles, Swift heads to Chicago to be a big piece in Shane Waldron’s offense. Deal negotiated by his agent Trevon Smith. pic.twitter.com/mawmj7yf5e
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) March 11, 2024
Swift was selected by the Lions in the second round of the 2020 NFL draft (35th overall) after starring at University of Georgia. He did not live up to expectations in Detroit rushing for just 1680 total yards in three years, a figure almost matched by his 1198 receiving yards.
The Lions signed former Bear David Montgomery and used a first round pick on Jahmyr Gibbs in 2023 to create a very effective two-headed monster at running back. Those moves made the disappointing Swift expendable and he was traded to Philadelphia for a 4th round pick before the 2023 season.
The 5’9” 215 back finally broke out for the Eagles rushing for a career-high 1049 yards (1263 total yards from scrimmage) and six touchdowns as he made the Pro Bowl. He is definitely an upgrade over the Bears 2023 running back room that featured Khalil Herbert and D’Onta Foreman. In fact, Chicago’s leading rusher last season was quarterback Justin Fields.
There are some reasons for concern with Swift, however, his only two 100 yard performances in 2023 came in the second and third games of the year. Philadelphia had one of the best offensive lines in the NFL and the Bears definitely did not. The shelf-life for running backs is not very long and it’s possible last year was an aberration.
With those caveats in mind, it’s still probably a good move with Chicago’s ample cap space and a position desperately in need of an upgrade.
