When the Chicago Bears signed D'Andre Swift to a three-year, $24 million contract, fans anticipated a dynamic playmaker who could add speed and versatility to their offense. However, through the 2024 season, the reality has been disappointing, and the numbers highlight just how much he’s struggled to live up to expectations.
Swift’s performance has been most concerning in the run game, where he’s fallen from being a highly efficient rusher to a significant liability. This season, Swift ranks near the bottom in rushing DVOA, with a dismal minus-23.1%—31st among 33 qualified backs. DVOA (Defense-adjusted Value Over Average) calculates a team's success based on the down-and-distance of each play during the season, then calculates how much more or less successful each team is compared to the league average. This statistic reflects a dramatic decline from his respectable 6.3% in 2023 with the Philadelphia Eagles. Swift’s rushing production has become inconsistent and inefficient, often placing the Bears in unfavorable down-and-distance situations and forcing rookie quarterback Caleb Williams to shoulder the load.
Adding to the disappointment, Swift’s yards per carry have taken a sharp dip. After averaging 4.6 yards per carry in 2023, he’s barely reaching 3.6 yards per carry, until his recent 56-yard touchdown run that padded his stats. Without that big play, Swift’s average would be even lower, signaling that he’s struggled to break through defenses consistently. Advanced stats further expose his struggles: his Rushing Yards Over Expected (RYOE) is now at minus-0.35 per carry, a figure even lower than his 2023 mark, confirming that he’s getting fewer yards than expected based on his blocking.
Interestingly, it’s hard to blame the offensive line for these issues. The Bears rank fifth in run block win rate, meaning Swift’s blockers often do their job effectively. However, Swift has not been able to make the most of these opportunities, which raises questions about whether his success in Philadelphia was more a product of his former team’s offensive line than his talent. This disparity has cast doubt on Swift’s value as a rusher and underscores the high risks of investing heavily in running backs who may struggle without an elite line.
While Swift has shown some spark as a receiver, recording a 19.3% DVOA in the passing game and averaging 10.2 yards per catch, his contributions haven’t been enough to offset his poor rushing performance. Although he’s provided a few explosive plays in the air, these moments don’t compensate for his overall lack of consistency on the ground. The Bears signed Swift expecting a reliable, dual-threat player, yet his struggles on the ground have only added pressure on the team’s rookie quarterback and forced the Bears to rethink their offensive strategy.
The brutal truth is that Swift’s signing, once filled with potential, looks more like a costly mistake. As his struggles persist, whether he can turn things around—or if the Bears will end up regretting this high-stakes investment in a player whose best days may be behind him.
© Mike Dinovo-Imagn Images
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