Chicago Bears fans were disappointed. They'd been told for months that the 2025 offseason was the ideal time to hunt for a new running back. Nowhere more so than the NFL draft. Everybody expected it. Ben Johnson had taken over as head coach. He was a champion of running the ball and play action. More than that, he was with the Detroit Lions when they traded D'Andre Swift, who was the current Bears starter. Everything pointed to them taking a running back early. So it must've been a major disappointment when it didn't happen until the 7th round with Kyle Monangai.
With no big move in free agency or the trade market, reality began to set in. Barring a total shock in training camp, Swift would be the starter for Chicago again next season. Fans would have to suck it up. Then again, it has led to questions. Is the team higher on the veteran than they're letting on? A possible hint to that answer came from ESPN's Jeremy Fowler. He polled executives, coaches, and scouts around the league to determine the best running backs today. Guess who got some votes in that discussion?
Also receiving votes: Kyren Williams (Los Angeles Rams), David Montgomery (Detroit Lions), Brian Robinson Jr. (Washington Commanders), Chuba Hubbard (Carolina Panthers), D'Andre Swift (Chicago Bears), Kenneth Walker III (Seattle Seahawks)
D'Andre Swift is a good player. Just not a great one.
One should not overlook the facts here. He was trapped in one of the worst-coached offenses in the league last season and ran behind a terrible run-blocking offensive line. Despite that, he still racked up 1300 total yards with six touchdowns. The core issue was his 3.8 yards per carry. It was the worst of his career, making people think he cannot be that true workhorse back. Maybe so, but both of the problems from last year have been addressed. Johnson is an outstanding coach with a proven rushing scheme. The interior offensive line was completely revamped, headlined by two strong run-blockers in center Drew Dalman and right guard Jonah Jackson. If things play out as hoped, D'Andre Swift should have a far more productive campaign on the ground.
