The Chicago Bears' offense truly rolled strong in 2025, with the main reason being that the running game finally got going after a rough 2024 season.
Chicago's leading rusher, D'Andre Swift, was a big reason for that as he had a career-high 1,087 yards and nine touchdowns on the season. The Bears also leaned on rookie seventh-round pick Kyle Monangai as he rushed for 783 yards and five touchdowns.
Everything seems to be going well for the Bears and Swift, who needed a strong season after speculation was that he might be traded or released in 2026 if he didn't improve before the 2025 campaign. Swift might not be out of the woods quite yet.
D'Andre Swift might still be on the hot seat going into 2026
Pro Football Focus writer Nic Bodiford shared a list of five veterans who are on the hot seat after the 2025 season. Swift was on the list with Monangai waiting behind him on the depth chart.
"Swift, 27, admittedly assuaged these very same concerns from last offseason. Chicago’s seventh-round rookie, running back Kyle Monangai, 23, is already performing at a near-equivalent level despite Swift's five-year edge in experience. Swift earned an 83.4 PFF offense grade and finished as the RB15 this season. Monangai earned a 67.3 PFF offense grade and finished as the RB29."
"During Chicago’s postseason play, Swift outsnapped Monangai in the green zone eight-to-seven, while totaling five rushing attempts to Monangai’s three rushing attempts and one target. Swift can maintain the primary passing down role with superior pass-protection play, but Monangai has a chance to take over as the team’s primary rusher and primary player in scoring position next season."
Despite having the best season of his career, there are still talks that Swift might not be on the team. Jacksonville Jaguars running back Travis Etienne has been a name attached to the Bears in the offseason to replace Swift.
The big reason for all the talk is Monangai playing better than anyone could have imagined in his first year. That certainly leaves the door open for the Bears to move on from Swift if they really wanted to.
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Bears fans might be skeptical of breaking up one of the best running back duos in the NFL, but it might end up being a reality for Chicago. Despite a great year from Swift, it might not have been enough to save him from being escorted off the roster.