D’Andre Swift’s Future in Chicago: A Tough Decision Looms for the Bears
The Bears have a lot to feel good about after their first season under head coach Ben Johnson. A playoff run that ended in the Divisional Round against the Rams still marked a significant step forward for a team that’s been searching for stability. Caleb Williams looked every bit the franchise quarterback, the defense was opportunistic and disruptive, and perhaps most quietly-but crucially-Chicago’s backfield was a force.
The duo of D’Andre Swift and rookie Kyle Monangai powered one of the league’s most effective ground games. Chicago finished third in rushing yards per game (142.3), trailing only the Bills and Ravens-two teams known for their run-heavy identities.
Swift led the charge with 1,087 rushing yards and nine touchdowns, delivering the kind of season that validated the Bears’ investment in him. But with only one year left on his deal and the Bears staring at a cap situation nearly $10 million in the red, his future in Chicago is anything but certain.
Swift’s Value vs. the Cap Reality
Let’s be clear: Swift earned his paycheck this season. He posted a career-high 1,386 total scrimmage yards and proved to be a dynamic weapon in both the run and pass game.
His 4.9 yards per carry is a number most backs would be thrilled with, and it speaks to both his vision and burst in space. He’s the 16th-highest-paid running back in the league, and based on production, he’s arguably outperformed that ranking.
But the NFL is a business, and general manager Ryan Poles has some tough calls to make. According to Spotrac, the Bears could save over $7.4 million by cutting or trading Swift.
That’s not pocket change, especially for a team that’s already projected to be over the salary cap. Every dollar counts when you’re trying to build a championship-caliber roster around a rookie quarterback.
So the question isn’t whether Swift is good. He is. The question is whether the Bears can afford to keep him-and whether they think they can replicate his production for less.
Exploring the Alternatives
Free agency could offer some intriguing options. Names like Breece Hall, Travis Etienne Jr., and Kenneth Walker III are expected to hit the market, each bringing their own strengths and potential price tags.
Hall, despite playing in a struggling Jets offense, still managed 1,065 rushing yards. He’s explosive, a legitimate home-run threat, and could thrive in a more functional offense.
Etienne turned in a solid year with 1,107 rushing yards and seven touchdowns, though his 4.3 yards per carry trails Swift’s efficiency. Walker, meanwhile, split time in Seattle’s backfield but still logged over 1,000 yards and showed flashes of being a lead back.
All three are projected to command significant contracts-Hall especially, with Spotrac estimating his next deal could exceed $10 million annually. That’s a steep price, especially if the Bears believe they can develop a cheaper option in-house or through the draft.
And that brings us back to Monangai. While he showed real promise in his rookie campaign, he hit a wall late in the season.
Over the final seven games, including the playoffs, he failed to reach 60 rushing yards or find the end zone. That’s not a knock on his talent-it’s a reminder that he’s not ready to carry the full load.
The Bears need a proven complement in the backfield, someone who can share the workload and keep the offense balanced.
Stick or Twist?
If the Bears believe they can coach up another back the way they did with Swift this year, they might be tempted to move on and reallocate those cap dollars elsewhere. But that’s a gamble. Swift has proven he fits this system, he has chemistry with Williams, and he’s coming off the best season of his career.
The Bears have to ask themselves: Is it worth saving a few million to roll the dice on someone new? Or do you stick with the guy who’s already delivered for you, even if it means tightening the belt somewhere else?
There’s no easy answer. Swift isn’t irreplaceable-but he’s not easily replaced either. And for a Bears team looking to build on a breakout season, the decision at running back could be one of the defining moves of the offseason.