Last season was the emergence of Chicago Bears running back D'Andre Swift, and the fan base was ecstatic to see how he played.
It was such a bounce-back season for the guy who averaged less than four yards per carry in 2024 for the first time in his career. Swift came back with vengeance, with a career-high 1,087 yards and nine touchdowns, averaging 4.9 yards per carry.
Chicago had the NFL's third-best rushing attack in 2025 thanks to what Swift and his new sidekick in the backfield, Kyle Monangai, did together. Bears head coach Ben Johnson recently shared why Swift is a big part of this offense.
"He's a dynamic player," Johnson said via chicagobears.com's Gabby Hajduk. "I've known that about him since he came into the league, firsthand up there in Detroit, and certainly last year I wasn't surprised about the year he had. So, is he capable of more? Absolutely. He absolutely is. He's a vital part of what we do here."
D'Andre Swift is about to play just as big of a role in Bears' offense in 2026
The Bears will want to continue to run the ball more often than pass because they are good at running the football. Besides the obvious dynamic duo of Swift and Monangai, this offensive line is built to be able to run the football 30 or more times in a game and do it efficiently.
Swift is a different type of weapon in this Bears offense that could be used in so many other ways. A forgotten part of his game is how good he is as a receiver after catching 34 passes for 299 yards and one touchdown. Look at his lone score catching last year against the Washington Commanders and how explosive he was with his speed for that 55-yard touchdown.
Everyone knows that Monangai's role is just to run the football right down the defense's throat and score touchdowns in the red zone. Swift needs to be that big-play guy who can get five or more yards per carry and create yards after the catch out of the backfield.
Johnson is all about innovation and using his skill players as more versatile guys who can play multiple positions. Swift can line up in the backfield, but also get into the slot for a short-yardage catch and make some things happen with his speed.
Read more: Bears' 'true franchise player' is on the cusp of breakout 2026 season
The potential is there with the Bears in 2026 to be even more of a dynamic offense, and Swift is going to play a big role in making sure that happens.
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