D'Andre Swift's vision on the football field allows him to see rushing lanes so he can exploit holes in the defense.
That's what has helped him to have a career year under head coach Ben Johnson. The veteran running back set career highs in rushing yards (1,087) and rushing touchdowns (nine).
Swift has a keen eye for the details, but it doesn't just apply to the football field. Swift has also noticed a change in second-year quarterback Caleb Williams. One area that stands out to Swift is Williams’ demand in the huddle, and how that aspect of the quarterback's game has grown.
“He's been great,” Swift said. “Especially in got to have it moments. You hear his voice in the huddle a little bit more, which is great. It’s what you want to hear from a quarterback.”
D'Andre Swift has strong words about Caleb Williams after playoff win
One moment that Swift highlighted during his press conference at Halas Hall was the Bears’ final offensive drive against the Green Bay Packers in the Wild Card Round.
“He said something to us in the huddle where everything was put into perspective,” Swift said. “We know we’ve got to go ahead and win this game. We’re in a position to go ahead and do so. He's been great for us all year, and then in got to have it moments that shows up every single week as y'all know. His leadership, I would say just the steps that he's taken since last year as far maturity and things like that. His preparation, everything that he's doing day in and day out is showing up.”
Whatever Williams said in the huddle on that drive resonated with his teammates. The Bears went on to score the go-ahead touchdown thanks to Williams’ 25-yard touchdown pass to DJ Moore to help defeat the Packers, 31-27.
A reason Williams can capitalize in those high-pressure moments is the work he puts in behind the scenes. That's an area Swift has seen Williams grow the most in his second season in the NFL.
“I would just say preparation,” Swift said. “I'm not in the meetings with him day in and day out, but I do know, like I always say, his car is here (Halas Hall) longer, his car is here earlier. He always has (a) notebook in his hand. He’s always going over something. He's taking his process very, very seriously. That's something that we need to do, every individual to go ahead and have the success that we want to have. He has been great with his approach.”
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Whether Williams knows it or not, Swift has been watching him grow. The player Williams is today has helped Chicago win the NFC North and a playoff game, and Swift will have a front-row seat to see what happens next.