D’Andre Swift reminded the Bears exactly why he matters in camp, and he did it with one burst down the right sideline.
Chicago’s backfield has already looked like a problem for defenses, with Swift and Kyle Monangai forming a true one-two punch after combining for more than 1,800 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns last season. Swift brings the speed.
Monangai brings the power. Together, they’ve given the Bears a pair of runners few teams can match.
At the latest training camp practice, the Bears shifted into short-yardage and goal-line work, and Swift showed up right away. ESPN Bears reporter Courtney Cronin wrote that the 11th practice opened with that kind of work and that the starting offense took control in that period, with both Swift and Monangai scoring on chunk runs. Then Swift turned around and delivered the big one in the first move-the-ball period:
"With the offense and defense having 98% of their installs in, the 11th practice of camp opened with focusing on short-yardage goal line team drills to build the intensity and competition that Johnson envisioned carrying over to the rest of practice. The starting offense dominated that period with chunk runs from D'Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai, who each scored. In the first move-the-ball period, Swift got loose and found his way down the right sideline for a 62-yard TD."
That kind of play fits the version of Swift the Bears got last season. After averaging 3.8 yards per carry in 2024, he answered with 1,087 rushing yards and nine touchdowns, while bumping his average up to 4.9 yards per carry. Those nine scores were a career high, and they came as Swift finally settled in as the clear lead back in an offense.
Even with Monangai expected to carry a heavy load after rushing for 783 yards in 2025, Swift still looks like the player Chicago wants leading the way when the ball is on the ground. He’s not just a runner, either. His long touchdown catch against the Washington Commanders in the second half last season was another reminder that he can change a game in more than one way.
With injuries stacking up around the roster, having a steady piece like Swift becomes even more valuable. If he stays on the field, the Bears have every reason to expect their offense to keep moving forward.
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