The Bears have a decision to make on D'Andre Swift, and waiting too long could make it a costly one.
Swift is coming off a strong 2025 season, piling up 1,087 rushing yards, 34 receptions and nine rushing touchdowns. That kind of production makes his value to Chicago pretty easy to see. He’s not just part of the offense - he’s a major reason it works.
That’s why heading into 2026 without an extension in place feels like a dangerous game. If Swift turns in another big year in Ben Johnson’s system, his market could climb fast. And with a deep playoff run likely to put him even more in the spotlight, the Bears could find themselves staring at a player who is suddenly a prized free agent.
The risk isn’t hypothetical. The Seattle Seahawks, despite being the defending Super Bowl champions, couldn’t keep Kenneth Walker, who wound up with the Kansas City Chiefs in free agency. That’s the kind of outcome Chicago should be trying to avoid with Swift.
There’s also a clear path to getting something done. A deal in the range of what the Dallas Cowboys gave Javonte Williams would make sense.
Williams, after rushing for 1,201 yards and 11 touchdowns last season, landed a contract worth $24 million over the next three seasons. For Chicago, a similar number should be manageable.
Swift’s side should have plenty to like about that kind of security, too. Staying in an offense led by Caleb Williams and Ben Johnson offers stability and a chance to keep working with one of the league’s most talented young quarterbacks. That has to carry real weight compared with rolling the dice on the season and waiting for free agency.
The Bears still have time, with just under two months before the season starts. But this is one of the few future issues they can solve right now, and it would be a mistake not to.
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