Bears Make Major Splash to Start Free Agency
NFL Free agency is now officially underway and the Bears are already looking to make a big splash in the market. After some speculation last week about a potential deal with Saquon Barkley, as well as reports of mutual interest between Las Vegas Raiders star running back Josh Jacobs and the Chicago Bears, it is now being reported that the Bears have are set to sign D’Andre Swift to a 3 year, $24 million deal, according to Mike Garafolo from NFL Network.
The Bears are getting a big name to help in the backfield and secure the ground game for whoever is taking snaps under center this fall. Swift ran for 1,049 yards on 229 carries in 2023, nearly doubling those numbers from is last season in Detroit in 2022. The bounce back year earned Swift his first trip to the Pro Bowl.
What Are The Bears Getting?
Swift picked up right where he left off after the move from Detroit to the Philadelphia Eagles before the 2023 season. Swift tallied 1,049 rushing yards last season averaging 4.6 yards per carry, 5th among eligible running backs. A huge addition to the Bears muddied backfield and now in heading into his fifth NFL season, a guy who has been there and done that and still with years of production left.
With only 214 receiving yards on 39 receptions in 2023, Swift could find himself in a crowded offense in Philadelphia. The likes of AJ Brown, Devonta Smith, and Dallas Goedert are all top talents in the NFL, not to mention Jalen Hurts can take off with the best dual threat QBs in the NFL. Now on his way to Chicago, he can take the lead in a backfield that will likely have a rookie QB who wouldn’t mind leaning on the run game from time to time.
Bears Running Back Woes
The Bears ground game was solid in 2023, but lacked consistency outside of the stellar production from QB Justin Fields. Whether it be lackluster blocking or injuries, the three headed monster of Roschon Johnson, Khalil Herbert, and D’Onta Foreman didn’t exactly strike fear into the hearts of opponents while only combining for just 1,388 yards on the ground, albeit tough to do while playing from behind most games. Fields actually lead the Bears in rushing yards according to ESPN. Exciting for your quarterback, not the best look for your running backs.
Is Swift Worth the Money?
Although the numbers may not back it up as of late, Swift isn’t just a weapon on the ground. Swift is a skilled pass catcher out of the backfield, averaging 7.2 yards per catch over his four year career in the NFL. He’s a great route runner for a running back and has the soft touch and hand-eye coordination to adjust to not so perfect throws. He may lack the ultra physical running style the likes of Derrick Henry, but Swift has that sort of “wiggle” NFL scouts rave about, and Swift can make defenders miss with the best of them.
With the kind of money that names like Saquon Barkley, Derrick Henry, and Josh Jacobs will likely garner this offseason, getting Swift at this price doesn’t seem too shabby. The Bears have the 4th most cap space in the NFL according to USA Today, and are spending it within minutes of the opportunity to do so. There are quite a few fan bases out there that will be waiting with empty hands in a few weeks, so going out and making a move right away is something many would love for their home team to do.
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1 Comment
Swift is the truth, best Bears HB since Forte? Yes. He’s even a better runningback than Justin Fields (tough to do!)