For the second time in his career, D’Andre Swift will return to the city that he called home for the first three years of his career, as the Chicago Bears visit the Detroit Lions in Week 2. While Swift is not taking a been there, done that approach, he is not overblowing the situation.
The Bears are coming off a disappointing loss in Week 1, though, and Swift is calling for himself and his teammates to atone for those shortcomings as a group in Week 2.
Swift also reacted to recent comments from his fellow RBs.
D’Andre Swift Sends Message Before Latest Return to Ford Field
D’Andre Swift: Bears Must ‘Finish Better’
Swift was one of the brighter spots in the Bears’ loss, despite not having his most efficient night, simply because he ran hard. A more compact back, Swift’s speed is evident in the open field.
There was notable intent from him in terms of trying to hit the hole with physicality.
“Mindset ain’t gonna change,” Swift told Clocker Sports on Thursday when asked about that approach. “Continue to have that mentality, take what’s there, and then just try to execute better as an offense, as a total, as a unit. I feel like we didn’t do a good job, enough of that, on Monday to finish better.”
Swift rushed for 53 yards on 17 attempts against a retooled Vikings defensive front. His 3.1 yards per carry would set a new career-low mark. Swift, 26, rushed for 3.8 yards per tote in 2024, his first year with the Bears after signing a three-year, $24 million contract in free agency.
However, Swift had 32 yards on six rushes in the third quarter, gaining 11 more yards than he did in the second quarter on the same number of attempts.
Former Bears defensive tackle Anthony “Spice” Adams lauded the 2023 Pro Bowler’s effort.
Swift carried the ball two times and lost one yard in the disastrous fourth quarter, underscoring his desire to finish better in Week 2 against the Lions. That, he says, is all the motivation that he needs.
D’Andre Swift Taking Same Mentality About Facing Lions
For all of the chatter about Bears head coach Ben Johnson’s return to Detroit, Swift spent three seasons there, too, more than the RB has had at any of his other two stops so far in his career.
“Put the emotional part to the side, play ball,” Swift told Clocker Sports. “My mentality every time I touch the field is to prove to whoever – prove myself right, first and foremost. And then, my mentality ain’t gonna change because I’m going back to where I was drafted. I ain’t gonna make it bigger than what it is, man. I approach each week like it’s the same, you know what I mean? Go out there and produce. That’s it.”
The good news for Swift is that the Lions had a worse run defense than the Vikings last season, but they held Packers RB Josh Jacobs to 66 yards (and 1 TD) on 19 runs. Swift was limited on the ground (11 ru., 39 yds) but fared well as a receiver (2 rec., 35 yds) in Detroit in 2024.
That is under 3.5 yards per carry.
Finishing better could mean involving Swift more as a receiver out of the backfield. He had three receptions for 12 yards, including one for a first down in Week 1. The Packers did not challenge the Lions in that way, but Jordan Love completed both of his targets to backs.
D’Andre Swift ‘a Little Bit Different’
Swift’s approach is noticeable, with young teammates Brittain Brown and Kyle Monangai praising his professionalism.
“We had a little off day, and he’s in the office until late at night, and he’s looking at blitzes when we had our break that we just had,” Brown told Clocker Sports before practice last week. “I just can tell that he gives 100% of the game, and that’s a little bit different than some other guys.”
Monangai called Swift “a pro.”
“He’s been doing it for a long time, and everybody knows the NFL is not for long. So, to have as many years in as he has, it means he’s done so much. So, I try and learn everything I can from Dre.”
“Anytime you hear your peers speaking highly of you, it means a lot,” Swift told Clocker Sports. “I pride myself on…conducting myself as such. Coming in here every single day, trying to be that pro every single day. And that just goes by how I work, you know what I mean? So, it means a lot coming from my peers.”