The Bears didn’t waste any time getting a return on their investment in D’Andre Swift.
Chicago signed the star running back to a three-year, $33.75 million extension on September 11th, just under the wire before the 2026 season got underway, and Swift’s first game under the new deal made the decision look awfully sharp. He answered with 124 rushing yards and three touchdown runs, giving the Bears exactly the kind of balance they need around Caleb Williams.
Williams may have posted MVP-level numbers, but Swift’s work helped set the table for it. The running back wasn’t easing into anything after the extension, either.
He ran with force, dropped his shoulder into contact, and kept pushing for extra yards before breaking into open space. It was the kind of performance that reminded everyone what Swift looks like at his best.
Swift also added a catch for 10 receiving yards in what was one of the most impressive Week 1 debuts by any playmaker this season. Chicago’s offense stayed complete throughout the day, and backup Kyle Monangai got in on the action too, finishing with 10 carries for 100 rushing yards and one touchdown.
There’s no guarantee every week will come with this much room to operate, but Week 1 said plenty about the Bears’ approach. Running back is always a tricky place to spend, especially at a position that doesn’t tend to age gracefully. Still, Chicago appears to have handled it right with Swift, giving him the extension at a number that already looks like a bargain.
The cap hit is manageable over the next three years, and Swift fits neatly into the core the Bears have built. After one game, the deal already looks like one of the better values on the board, and it has a real chance to stay that way through the season.
In Other News...
Bears Week 2 Just Got Complicated By Minnesota's Quarterback Situation
Minnesotas Week 1 win over Green Bay already changed the early feel of the NFC North race, and it may have done so again for Chicago. The Vikings rallied behind backup quarterback Carson Wentz after starter Kyler Murray left with a concussion, leaving the Bears to prepare for a Week 2 opponent whose plan under center is suddenly less settled than it looked a few days ago.
Murray is still in concussion protocol and considered day-to-day, which means Chicago could be dealing with either Wentzs pocket-passing style or Murrays more mobile, higher-variance game. For the Bears, the difference matters: Wentz brings a steadier throw-from-the-pocket profile, while Murrays legs can change how a defense has to chase the game, even if his recent performance has raised questions. [Read more 🡒]
Bears Suddenly Have A Week 2 Problem Up Front
The Bears offensive line is suddenly worth watching closely heading into Week 2, and the biggest name on Thursdays injury report was right tackle Darnell Wright. He did not practice because of a knee injury, a development that matters for a unit trying to settle in early and keep Chicagos offense on schedule as the next game approaches.
Neville Gallimore also missed practice because of illness, while Grady Jarrett was held out for rest, and six other players were listed as limited. None of it is unusual for this point in the week on its own, but the accumulation of bumps and status checks gives Chicago a few things to sort through before kickoff. [Read more 🡒]
Bears Defense Suddenly Has A Carson Wentz Problem
Sundays win over the Panthers gave the Bears a clean start in the standings, but it did not exactly quiet the questions around Dennis Allens defense. Chicago gave up plenty of yardage and points in that opener, the kind of performance that can be masked for a week but not ignored for long when a tougher divisional test is next on the schedule.
Carson Wentzs Week 1 showing for Minnesota only sharpens the concern. With Kyler Murray out, Wentz stepped in against Green Bay and threw three touchdowns, giving the Vikings an early jolt and a reminder that their offense can punish a defense that is out of sync. For Chicago, the timing is less than ideal, because the next matchup now looks like a test of whether the Bears defense can tighten up before a quarterback change turns into a bigger problem. [Read more 🡒]