Sitting atop the Chicago Bears’ running back depth chart ahead of the 2025 NFL Draft, D’Andre Swift is entering a critical season amid a sea of speculation.
A sixth-year veteran, who has started for both the Detroit Lions and Philadelphia Eagles, Swift played for new Bears head coach Ben Johnson on the former. Johnson has praised what Swift brings to the table.
Likewise, new running backs coach Eric Bieniemy endorsed Swift.
Eric Bieniemy Praises Bears RB D’Andre Swift Before OTAs
D’Andre Swift Receives Strong Endorsement From Bears Coach
“First of all, I think we got a good young group of young men, who’s worked their tails off,” Bieniemy told Clocker Sports on April 17. “I know Swift has been in this league for a while now. Actually had an opportunity to spend some time with him. Think he’s an upstanding character; a man of good character. Works his tail off. Love what he brings to the table, so I’m looking forward to working with him.”
Swift, 26, rushed for 959 yards (and 6 touchdowns) in 2024, the second most of his career. However, he averaged 3.8 yards per carry – a career low – on a career-high 253 carries. He added another 386 yards on 42 receptions.
Notably, the Bears can cut Swift with a post-June 1 designation in 2026 and save $7.5 million with $1.3 million in dead money, per Over The Cap, putting the veteran on notice.
The 2023 Pro Bowler is entering Year 2 of a three-year, $24 million contract.
Bears Coach Open to Adding RB
Bieniemy’s comments could bode well before Swift amid speculation about the Bears’ draft plans. The Bears have been speculatively linked to former Boise State Broncos Ashton Jeanty. The Bears own the No. 10 overall pick of the 2025 NFL Draft.
“If you pick me, it’s simple: I’m coming to your franchise to do what Saquon [Barkley] and the Eagles just did. I’m coming to win, big, soon,” Jeanty wrote for the Players’ Tribune on April 16. “It’s TACKLE football … you know what I’m saying?
“I’d draft the guy they can’t tackle.”
“Wherever we decide to go [in the draft], that’s up to the guys up top. It’s up to the general manager. It’s up to the head coach,” Bieniemy said. “If we happen to bring in a guy, we’re going to put our arms around and we’re going to coach him up. But he’s gonna have to understand the same things that I’ve told these guys that we’re going to live by.
“There is a standard in which I expect us to perform at, and there is a way in which we will handle and conduct ourselves on a day-to-day basis.”
The Bears did work beyond the running back position to alleviate some of that struggle.
They traded for Super Bowl champion and All-Pro Joe Thuney and Pro Bowler Jonah Jackson, and they signed the top center in free agency, Drew Dalman.
It will still be on the likes of Swift and Roschon Johnson, with help from Travis Homer and 2024 undrafted free agent Ian Wheeler, who missed his rookie campaign with a knee injury suffered during the preseason.
Eric Bieniemy ‘Fired Up’ About Bears RBs
The Bears’ rushing attack lacked consistency in 2024, and that was also true on an individual level for Swift and his backfield mates.
Bieniemy’s confidence in the group remains high just days out from their first OTAs.
“Roschon is another young man who did a hell of a job for the past two years. Looking forward to watching him grow. And then Travis Homer. Travis is – he’s the veteran of the group, I guess. Maybe they’re about the same age; him and Swifty. But a six-year player. Has done an outstanding job with special teams, and does a great job when he’s given an opportunity to step in,” Bieniemy said.
“The young buck, Ian Wheeler, who did a heck of a job last year. So unfortunate that he ended up getting hurt, but he’s a great kid. Very smart. I’m fired up and excited about this opportunity. Because these guys, I do know one thing, they work their tails off.”
“The only thing they want to know is, how can they be better? And so I’m looking forward to having an opportunity to work with these guys,” Bieniemy said. “We’re just gonna continue putting the pieces together, putting our scheme together, and then getting them out there and watching them work. So I’m fired up about this opportunity.”
