Last season, we saw the best year of D'Andre Swift's career as he surpassed any and all expectations for Chicago Bears fans. After his first season in Chicago, fans figured he could be as good as gone. But with the installation of Ben Johnson's offense, Swift took off.
Now, Swift enters the final year of his contract with the Bears, though. As good of a player as he is, the Bears aren't in a position to pay a running back who will be 28 years old next January. Instead, the Bears will very likely find their next starter in the 2027 NFL Draft.
But there are other options for Ryan Poles to consider. One of those options would be to take advantage of another team's crowded running back room; not just any running back room, though. It'd have to be a room with a younger player who still has plenty of upside but isn't in his current team's future plans.
That might seem like a tough find, but it's exactly what the Bears could look at in a trade for Arizona Cardinals running back Trey Benson.
Trey Benson could be the running back the Chicago Bears need after D'Andre Swift's time is up
When the Cardinals signed free agent Tyler Allgeier this year, most would have anticipated Arizona moving forward with him, James Conner, and Benson as their trio. Conner is obviously getting up there in age, but he's been beloved in Arizona during his time there and is a team captain.
Then, the Cardinals went and drafted Jeremiyah Love, which changed everything. Some might call Love a generational talent. He's certainly going to command a huge share of touches, which will put the other three on the back burner.
That includes Benson, who might be Arizona's best trade candidate out of the bunch.
The Cardinals paid Allgeier. It'd be a little far-fetched to think they trade him right after signing him to a new deal. In all likelihood, Love and Allgeier are the tandem going forward, which would make Benson more than expendable.
Just two years ago, the Cardinals used a second-round pick on Benson. He was arguably the best running back prospect of that 2024 class alongside Jonathan Brooks. Because Conner came on and grabbed hold of the job, though, Benson didn't do much as a rookie.
Then, last year, injuries derailed his season.
Now in year three and still only 23 years old, Benson has a ton of football in front of him and still possesses the qualities to be a starter in this league.
Let's say the Cardinals get to roster cut time and have to decide between keeping four running backs or cutting one of Conner or Benson. That is an extremely difficult position to be in, and I am sure Arizona would much rather get something in return for one of them.
If Poles were able to land Benson for something along the lines of a Day 3 pick, that would give Chicago a starting running back for a much lower price than the Bears having to spend in Rounds 1-3 next year.
Benson has the makings of a do-it-all back who can catch the football. Coming out of Florida State, Benson was viewed as a bigger back with good vision and cutting ability. And, even though he's got the bigger size, he still ran a 4.39 40-yard dash.
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He'd give Ben Johnson a tantalizing running back to pair with the banger that is Kyle Monangai, and could afford the Bears not to have to worry about drafting a running back next year, thus focusing more on defense as they'll need to.
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