Windy City Gridiron
In this series, we look back at the biggest moves from a year ago and review how they have panned out up to this point.
Next up in our 2024 rearview mirror series is Running Back, D’Andre Swift.
On Monday, March 11th, 2024, Ryan Poles and the Chicago Bears signed free agent running Back D’Andre Swift to a three-year, $24 million deal. Swift was coming off a career-high 1,049-yard season in Philly and immediately added some juice to the Chicago backfield.
Then the 2024 season happened.
To say the run game issues were all Swift’s fault would be a huge mistake. The run blocking was poor, and the play calling was worse. Did Swift leave some yards on the field, especially in between the tackles? Sure. But new Bears RB coach (and former NFL RB himself) Eric Bieniemy has already gotten to work coaching Swift to take what the defense gives him between the tackles instead of always aiming for the home run, and recently indicated as much on a Chicago Bears Podcast.
“Now more than anything, we’ve got to make sure that he (Swift) understands that he can find four and a half between the tackles but also hit the home run when he needs to.” - Eric Bieniemy.
New Head Coach Ben Johnson, who once coached Swift in Detroit before Swift was traded, has gone on record speaking highly of Swift both before and after the draft.
That said, to this point, with 959 yards rushing, 6 TDs, and a paltry 3.8 yards per carry average, Swift is not living up to his contract. Can Ben Johnson and Coach Bieniemy get the most out of the former Georgia Bulldog? That is the question. But the fact that they did not address the RB position until the 7th round and have yet to sign a FA like Nick Chubb or JK Dobbins indicates they believe they can.
Considering last off-season Derrick Henry signed for 2 years $16 million, Aaron Jones was signed for a one-year $7 million deal, Joe Mixon was traded for a mere 7th round pick and Tony Pollard (my top target at the time) signed for the same 3 year $24 million contract and they ALL had a better season, Swift has a lot to live up to. While I would agree he fell short in 2024, I expect D’Andre Swift to bounce back and earn his paycheck in 2025.
Check out the other 2024 player acquisition reviews here:
