As the Chicago Bears gear up for the 2025 NFL season, one name remains under the microscope: D’Andre Swift. The 26-year-old running back enters his sixth professional year with something to prove after a rocky 2024 season that failed to meet the expectations tied to his lucrative three-year, $24 million free-agent contract.
Wide receiver DJ Moore, whose locker is just two stalls away from Swift’s, has watched closely over the past 16 months. “He’s been consistent in his effort and demeanor, but you can tell the outside talk is driving him,” Moore noted. “He’s locked in and ready to prove himself.”
Last season, Swift posted 959 rushing yards—ranking 18th in the NFL—and just five touchdowns, good for 24th among running backs. Those numbers were underwhelming, especially considering his salary placed him 11th in pay at the position. Swift didn’t shy away from criticism, saying he’s focused on improving across the board.
“Everything needs work,” Swift admitted during training camp. “My scrimmage yards were solid [79.1 per game], but when your team finishes 5-12, it doesn’t mean much. Until we start winning, nothing else matters.”
The Bears’ offense struggled mightily in 2024, finishing last in the NFL in total offense (284.6 yards per game) and ranking 25th in rushing (102.0 yards per game). A lack of support for rookie quarterback Caleb Williams exposed Chicago’s offensive limitations—especially on the ground, where Swift failed to rush for 100 yards in 16 of 17 games and posted a career-low 3.8 yards per carry.
Swift shared touches with second-year back Roschon Johnson, who matched Swift’s touchdown total but only logged 150 yards across 14 games. Special teams contributor Travis Homer added minimal impact, and the only offseason addition was seventh-round draft pick Kyle Monangai, who has shown early flashes in training camp under the eye of new head coach Ben Johnson.
“There’s a perception out there that our RB room lacks talent,” Johnson said. “But I know these guys, and they’re hungry to change the narrative.”
Johnson, who helped engineer top-five rushing attacks for the Detroit Lions in 2023 and 2024, is expected to bring a similar run-focused strategy to Chicago. The Lions leaned heavily on outside zone runs (51.3%) during his time, complemented by inside zone (12.8%) and gap schemes (16.7%), with power and counter plays filling in the gaps.
New offensive coordinator Declan Doyle emphasized that the Bears’ scheme is still evolving. “We’re not throwing everything at them on Day 1,” he explained. “We want to see what fits our personnel and build around that.”
One key to Swift’s potential resurgence lies in the major upgrades to the offensive line. In a bold offseason move, the Bears rebuilt their interior line, acquiring Pro Bowl guard Joe Thuney, reliable guard Jonah Jackson, and center Drew Dalman. The hope is to create the kind of dominant front that allowed Swift to thrive during his 2023 Pro Bowl season with the Philadelphia Eagles, where he logged a career-best 1,049 rushing yards behind one of the league’s most formidable lines.
“There’s nothing like having faith in the guys blocking for you,” Swift said. “When you know they’ll give you a crease, your confidence grows.”
His history with Johnson could also be a factor. The two overlapped during the 2022 season in Detroit, when Swift shared the backfield with Jamaal Williams. After being traded to Philadelphia in 2023 to make way for Jahmyr Gibbs, Swift made the most of his opportunity. Now reunited in a familiar offensive philosophy, the pieces are in place for him to make another leap.
While Swift hasn’t committed to setting statistical goals, his demeanor suggests a player aware of the stakes. The Bears have bet big on him and a revamped line to carry an offense still developing under second-year quarterback Caleb Williams.
“We’re building something here,” Swift said. “I know what I’m capable of. I’m just focused on bringing it every day, and I think the results will follow.”
With training camp ramping up and the first preseason games on the horizon, all eyes in Chicago will be on Swift to see whether this new-look Bears offense can finally live up to its potential—and whether their top-paid running back can silence the doubters once and for all.
