A year ago at this time, it seemed running back D'Andre Swift might be entering his last year as a Chicago Bear. Head coach Ben Johnson knew as much about him as any coach could, good or bad, from their time together in Detroit.
Eventually, last season, Swift settled into an ideal role and had the best season of his career by many measures. A strong training camp has optimism incredibly high about him heading into this year, as the difference between his first season as a Bear in 2024 and the current situation continues to be shown.
Of course, this is the final year of Swift's contract, and at 27 years old, he could get one more notable bite at the financial apple while he's still in his prime. The recent rise in the running back market is good news for him on that front, but it is something the Bears will have to navigate as Swift nears the generally accepted age cliff (30 years old) for the position.
Ryan Poles talks possibility of a contract extension for D'Andre Swift
In a recent column, Brad Biggs of The Chicago Tribune suggested that, if another Bears contract extension were to happen before the season starts, it could be Swift.
"Is another extension a possibility before the season starts?” Biggs wrote. “If a deal is to be done before the September 13 opener at Carolina, D’Andre Swift is the player to keep an eye on..Swift could go from being a player who a lot of folks wondered might not be a fit for new coach Ben Johnson to emerging as a building block for the near future.”
When he spoke to the media on Tuesday, Bears general manager Ryan Poles was asked about the changes and adjustments Swift has made over the past year, and what the long-term outlook for Swift is as he heads into the final year of his contract.
"Yeah, it's definitely something we need to look at (a contract extension), and we will look at," Poles said. "I think he's done a great job. I love his approach this offseason. He looks amazing, and it's his second year in the system, too. So I like where he's at right now. This is where this job gets tough, is really trying to figure out how you want to allocate everything, not only for now, but into the future. So we'll have those conversations and see where we want to go with it. But I love Swift, and I love the way that he's working."
Spotrac currently has Swift's market value at $8.8 million per year, on a projected two-year, $17.6 million deal. That looks affordable for the Bears, pending what Swift does this season to bolster his value. So if they want to extend him, as is typical, timing will be key, and it'll take two to tango on a deal getting done along a team-friendlier timeline.
It's also very possible Swift, more than he wants to play things out this season and hit the open market next March, wants to remain a Bear beyond this season. Would he take a contract offer now, rather than bet on himself and take the associated risk?
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That's the push and pull of any contract situation, but it's no surprise the Bears are open to keeping Swift around for a few more years if it can come together.
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