An underrated part of the 2026 Chicago Bears season, and one that isn't getting nearly enough attention, is that D'Andre Swift is having arguably the best year of his career.
Swift got 2026 off to a strong start when he signed a three-year, $33 million contract extension right before the team's Week 1 showdown against the Carolina Panthers. Just a few days later, he went for 124 yards and three touchdowns, solidifying the Bears' decision to extend him.
Since then, it's been an up-and-down season for Swift, but he is still putting together a strong year in Chicago. His strong start through eight games is so good that he might actually be in line to pass Bears legend Walter Payton in the franchise's record books.
D'Andre Swift is having a great 2026 season no Bears fan saw coming
While Swift has not been able to rush for over 100 yards since that Panthers game, he hasn't been steady as a rock. He did have a stretch where he fumbled twice in three games, but he worked through that over the last month.
Swift was asked to take on a heavier role in bigger-season highs at the backfield after Kyle Monangai was out with thumb and toe injuries. Over the last two weeks, Swift has posted back-to-back season highs of 22 and 27. While his average yards per carry is under four, he's been a touchdown machine with four.
This season, Swift has 143 carries for 545 yards and 10 touchdowns. He has also caught 24 passes for 162 yards in eight games.
His 10 rushing touchdowns currently lead the NFL entering Week 9. He is actually on pace to score 21 touchdowns this season. If he did that, it would be franchise history.
Walter Payton might have to move aside in Bears history for D'Andre Swift
The Athletic's Kevin Fishbain shared some interesting rushing stats in the Bears' history. Swift is the first Bears running back since Raymont Harris in 1997 to rush for 10 or more touchdowns...and Swift did it in just eight games.
Chicago's franchise record for rushing touchdowns in a season is 14, set by Payton, who did it twice in 1977 and 1979. Swift is just four touchdowns away from tying it and five from breaking it with nine games left in the season.
At this point, it almost feels inevitable that Swift will do it since he is on pace to shatter that record. Monangai doesn't look any closer to returning to the field, so Swift will keep getting the carries. Bears head coach Ben Johnson wants a backfield by committee, but over the last two weeks, Swift has shown he's the main guy.
Read more: Bears news roundup: Kentavius Street to IR, Kyle Monangai latest, SNF notes
Swift coming close to passing one of the greatest players in NFL history and shattering his record is impressive in itself. At this rate, the Bears might have a Pro Bowl running back in the backfield as well.
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