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.
2. The Chicago Bears want big plays from D’Andre Swift
One of the knocks on D’Andre Swift is that he can be boom or bust as a runner. Sometimes he does not hit the hole, or he lacks power between the tackles or even kicks runs outside for losses. Those hurt, but on the flip side, he hits big runs at a rate that few in the NF do.
For his career, Swift averages 4.6 yards per carry. That is eighth amongst running backs since he entered the NFL. The running backs ahead of him include Derrick Henry, Tony Pollard, Miles Sanders, Christian McCaffrey, Jonathan Taylor, Aaron Jones, and Nick Chubb. Yes, Pollard and Sanders are not elite runners, but they came from good offenses. Meanwhile, Swift is at least on par with them, and you can make a strong argument that he is in a better spot as a big-play hitter in this offense.
Swift has a defined skill set. His ability to catch passes and make big plays on the ground can erase the deficiencies he brings in other areas.
1. D’Andre Swift showed that he can handle a heavier workload
Arguably the biggest issue with D’Andre Swift through his first three seasons was the lack of ability to handle a workload. Swift had just 364 carries in the first three seasons of his career. He posted four games with 15 or more carries. Last year Swift had 229 rushing attempts and had eight games with at least 15 carries. That is a stark difference.
Swift finished 12th in overall carries after the 2023 season. This shows he can handle the workload. Whatever happened in Detroit, it did not define him. They did not think he could get that type of work while remaining productive, but he did.
So, the Bears have to know what the pros and cons are of D’Andre Swift. It is clear that they want to run a different offense than last year based on the addition of Swift, but it is also clear that they see him adapting to a role he has hardly seen before. They think there is another level that Swift can get to. We will see if he can.