Bears analysts debate D'Andre Swift's future with intriguing replacement named

While the 2025 season is set for Chicago Bears running back D'Andre Swift, the debate over his future with the franchise has been a contested conversation over the offseason.

Swift is coming off one of the worst seasons of his career after averaging a career-low 3.8 yards per carry in a starting role at running back. He still managed to have 1,345 scrimmage yards and six touchdowns in the worst offense in football.

Now entering the 2025 season, he's reunited with his old Detroit Lions offensive coordinator, Ben Johnson, who takes over as the Bears' head coach. Some might think it's a good thing, but it could also be the worst-case scenario for the 26-year-old back.

Swift's discussion over future adds interesting intrigue to Bears' backfield plans in 2026

During CHSN's segment on player who need to "plant their flag" on the 2025 season, David Haugh, Alex Shaprio, and Clay Harbor discussed the number three selection on the list Swift and what his future could be. Shapiro led the conversation with asking the question about Swift's future.

"Will he be the Bears' number one running back in 2025? I do believe that, but is he the right running back for Ben Johnson? I'm not sure about that. Yes, he's a great pass catcher, but he's not great at making guys miss, he's not great at breaking tackles."

Haugh jumped in to talk about a potential replacement coming next year, but still managed to defend Swift in the process.

"Jeremiyah Love next year, but that's next year."

"This year, I think there's not a more disrespected player on the Chicago Bears, outside of Caleb Williams maybe, than D'Andre Swift. This is an NFL running back guys. This is a guy that everyone thinks that can't run downhill. He was in the same bad offense that Caleb Williams was in last year. I would not be surprised if he thrives in this scheme."

Harbor chimed in last, reminding Haugh what had happened the last time Swift and Johnson worked together.

"What happened the last time he played with Ben Johnson? Ben Johnson had him for a year and Ben Johnson said 'thank you for your services, D'Andre Swift. We're going to draft Jahmyr Gibbs in the top 15. Thank you, go to the Philadelphia Eagles and have a great time.' I think the same thing happens this year."

Swift was never the lead back in Detroit, but when Johnson was the offensive coordinator in 2022 for the Lions, Swift had just 542 yards and five touchdowns. One aspect that stood out is that Swift did have a career-high 5.5 yards per carry.

Love would be an intriguing selection for the Bears in next year's NFL Draft as he is coming off a 1,125-yard and 17-touchdown performance for Notre Dame last year. He's considered one of the best running backs in the nation entering 2025 and is a projected first-round pick in 2026.

Recent history suggests that this season may not be in Swift's favor unless he can make a sudden breakthrough. Johnson loves to use multiple backs in the offense and could utilize Roschon Johnson and rookie Kyle Monangai more.

Read more: The painful story of the worst season in Bears franchise history

It would take a massive Pro Bowl performance from Swift to secure his spot in Chicago. Otherwise, he could be testing the free agent market in 2026.