3 reasons Chicago Bears are enamored with D'Andre Swift in 2024

The Chicago Bears went out of their way to make sure that they upgraded the running back room this offseason by signing D’Andre Swift. The team made plenty of decisions that have fans excited, but this is one that caused mixed reviews. The team had some talent at running back, and the price tag for Swift may have been higher than expected. 

However, there is a reason why this team wanted him so badly in free agency

3. D’Andre Swift will provide for the Chicago Bears in the passing game 

Arguably the biggest reason why the Bears were so intrigued in Swift comes down to his passing game value. Swift has been in the NFL since 2020. He is third in targets in that time, with 254. He is fourth in receptions with 195. He is behind Austin Ekeler and Alvin Kamara in targets, and those two join Christian McCaffery as the three backs to catch more passes than Swift since he entered the NFL.

Beyond that, Swift is fourth in yards, with 1,412. Again, those three are the only backs ahead of him. That puts Swift as a more prominent pass catcher than Aaron Jones, Antonio Gibson, Josh Jacobs, and Joe Mixon, other talented backs who have been involved in the passing game since 2020. 

Lastly, Swift will be 26 years old this season McCaffrey will be 28, while Ekeler and Kamara are going to be 29 years old. He has the chance to be the youngest, most dynamic option of those pass catchers this year.

With the Chicago Bears moving from Justin Fields to Caleb Williams they are going from an offense that needed to rely on the run game to an offense that wants to see the quarterback throw the ball. That will open chances for Swift, who could be a great fit in this offense.