D'Andre

Swift

The 2022 Lions, coordinated by Ben Johnson, made a fairly quick decision to ditch D’Andre Swift the next offseason and pick up between-the-tackles pounder David Montgomery. Hunt seems cut from that cloth at this point, and while Swift’s contract essentially doesn’t allow the Bears to save any cap space without a trade, it isn’t completely surprising to see the Bears sniffing around help at running back. Chicago could be yet another team hunting for a true franchise back in the draft this year.

Swift was held without a catch for only the third time all year. The lead back for a horribly inefficient offense this season, Swift averaged under four yards per carry while scoring only six touchdowns. Swift’s setup was rotten, but NextGenStats charted him as dead last in rush yards over expected per carry. He kept the company of players like Javonte Williams and Kareem Hunt. Awful, though not something that is going to affect Swift’s contract status for 2025. The Bears for some reason guaranteed him over $6 million for next season. His going-forward fantasy status depends on whom the Bears hire to replace Matt Eberflus and what kind of reinforcements are made up front along a horrid offensive line. Swift will begin the offseason on the RB2/3 borderline.

Swift was able to find some room against the Seahawks’ front seven, and the Bears will probably lament not getting the former second-round pick the ball more often. It’s a nice improvement from the 20 yards he picked up in Week 16 in the loss to the Lions, but still not exactly what fantasy managers are hoping for from a starting tailback. Swift will finish out the year against the Packers in Week 18.

The Bears fell behind early and were forced to abandon their ground game. Swift only ceded one attempt to Roschon Johnson, though a single-digit carry total is still frustrating for fantasy managers. He also saw three targets while Johnson was held without a look in the passing game. Swift’s role as a share of the total opportunities was elite, but that means little when his team loses by three possessions. The Bears should play a more competitive game against Seattle next week, keeping Swift in the RB2 ranks for the final game of the fantasy season.

Fellow backup running back Travis Homer is listed as doubtful. Johnson was stealing goal line work from D’Andre Swift before suffering a concussion that sidelined him for two weeks. He should reclaim that role in Week 16 while also seeing some work on passing downs, putting him on the RB3/4 border. His return puts Swift at risk of falling out for the RB2 ranks versus Minnesota.

Wednesday’s practice was only a walkthrough, so we’ll learn more when the team hosts their first full practice later this week. Still, a full estimation on the opening report suggests Johnson will clear concussion protocol by the end of the week. Johnson was stealing work from D’Andre Swift on passing downs and at the goal line before suffering the concussion. His return will push Swift deep into the RB3 ranks for his Week 16 matchup with Detroit.

Swift was mostly bottled up — he was stuffed on two fourth-down gos early in the game — but caught fire briefly on Chicago’s first drive of the third quarter, running for 32 of his 79 yards and what looked to be a one-yard touchdown. Unfortunately, Bears backup lineman Doug Kramer lined up at fullback without reporting (or even acknowledging that a referee was on the field) and the penalty nullified the score. Swift’s managed to maintain his fantasy value thanks to Roschon Johnson’s concussion, but he’s a low-end RB2 at best right now even against the Lions depleted defensive line in Week 16.

The Bears find a collective sigh of relief after ruling Roschon Johnson out earlier in the week. Swift managed just a lone limited session this week while dealing with a groin injury but will be on the field as the Bears take on the division rival Vikings. Inactive for the Bears are DT Gervon Dexter, LT Braxton Jones, RB Roschon Johnson, OL Ryan Bates, DB Ameer Speed, and LB Noah Sewell.

Swift failed to practice on Thursday and Friday before logging a limited sessions Saturday as he tends to a groin injury. The Bears already ruled out fellow back Roschon Johnson with a concussion, meaning Swift could be in line for another robust workload after seeing 16 opportunities on a 79% snap rate against the 49ers in Week 14, assuming he can play through his ailment. The Bears will be extremely thin at the position if Swift can’t go, likely forced to turn to Travis Homer and recent addition Darrynton Evans.

It’ll mark the second consecutive missed game for the young running back as he works his way through the league’s concussion protocol. Johnson was injured after just two offensive snaps in Week 13. Expect D’Andre Swift, assuming health, to serve in a workhorse role in his absence after seeing 16 opportunities on a robust 79% snap rate in the team’s Week 14 loss to the 49ers.