The Chicago Bears are reshaping their offensive coaching staff this offseason, but amidst the turnover, one key piece of their backfield appears to be staying put: D’Andre Swift.
Let’s start with the coaching carousel. Eric Bieniemy, who served as the Bears’ running backs coach, is heading back to familiar territory in Kansas City to take over as the Chiefs’ offensive coordinator.
In his place, the Bears are bringing in Eric Studesville, a veteran coach with a strong track record developing running backs. That’s not the only change-former offensive coordinator Declan Doyle has joined the Ravens’ new-look staff, and in response, Ben Johnson promoted pass game coordinator Press Taylor to fill the OC role in Chicago.
So yes, the names on the staff are changing. But don’t expect the offensive identity to shift dramatically.
Johnson is still calling the plays, and his fingerprints will remain all over this unit. That continuity could be a big reason why Swift looks like he’s staying in the fold.
Why Swift Still Matters in Chicago
There was a time earlier this season when D’Andre Swift’s future in Chicago felt murky. He wasn’t lighting up highlight reels every week, and with rookie Kyle Monangai flashing some real upside, it wasn’t hard to imagine the Bears looking to move on-either via trade or by cutting ties altogether.
But here’s the thing: Swift delivered when it mattered. After a slow start, the Bears’ ground game found its rhythm, finishing the year averaging 144.5 rushing yards per game-third-best in the NFL. That’s not just solid production; that’s the kind of consistency you build a game plan around.
Swift was a big part of that. He racked up 1,087 rushing yards on 223 carries, averaging 4.9 yards per attempt.
He punched in nine rushing touchdowns and added value in the passing game too, catching 34 passes for 299 yards and another score. Those aren’t just filler stats-they’re the kind of numbers that show up in winning football.
The Monangai Factor
There’s no question Kyle Monangai is a name to watch. He had moments this season where he looked like a future feature back-vision, burst, and a physical running style that fits what the Bears want to do.
But he’s still raw. He ended the season on a bit of a down note, and while the potential is clear, the coaching staff may not be ready to hand him the keys just yet.
That’s where Swift’s value becomes even more apparent. He’s not just a placeholder-he’s a productive, versatile back who can carry the load or split duties in a two-headed attack.
And when you look at the financials, cutting Swift would only save the Bears $1.6 million in cap space. That’s not enough to justify losing a proven contributor in a system that’s already working.
What This Means for the Bears’ Offense
With Johnson still calling plays and a strong rushing attack already in place, the Bears don’t need to reinvent the wheel offensively. They’ve got the bones of a balanced, efficient unit-and keeping Swift around helps preserve that.
The real tweaks this team needs to make are on the defensive side of the ball. The offense showed it can move the chains, control the clock, and put points on the board. With another year under Johnson’s system and a healthy roster, there’s reason to believe this group can take another step forward.
Swift may not be a headline-grabbing superstar, but he’s a reliable, productive piece of an offense that’s trending in the right direction. With new coaches settling in and young talent developing behind him, there’s every reason to believe he’ll remain a key part of the Bears’ plans heading into next season.