D’Andre Swift’s reunion with Ben Johnson in Chicago is already paying off in a big way.
When Johnson left Detroit after the 2024 season to take over as the Bears’ head coach, he was joining back up with a running back he knew well from his time with the Lions. Given Swift’s stop-and-start run in Detroit - where he was often banged up before eventually getting traded - the setup looked temporary from the jump. A one-year bridge, maybe two at most.
Instead, Swift answered with the best season of his career by several measures last year. Now, with his original three-year Bears deal set to expire, he looks positioned to build on that momentum after a strong training camp.
He won’t have to spend the season auditioning for a new contract, either. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that, with two days left before the season opener, Swift and the Bears agreed to a three-year, $33.75 million extension that includes $27.5 million guaranteed.
As Schefter pointed out, the 27-year-old Swift is now on his third NFL contract, which is no small thing for a running back. The new deal will kick in when he’s 28 in 2027, and it keeps him under contract through 2029, his age-30 season.
The exact structure will matter, of course, but the broad picture is clear enough: Chicago has made a real commitment to Swift for at least the next two seasons beyond this one, with some flexibility built into the final year.
That commitment makes sense based on how the Bears used him as last season unfolded. Johnson and the Bears found a role that fit Swift, especially once rookie Kyle Monangai emerged. Swift’s share of the carries dipped, but the underlying numbers stayed strong.
There’s a chance Monangai takes on a bigger piece of the backfield work this season, and that would still fit fine with where Swift is in his career arc.
For the Lions, the latest chapter is familiar enough. Swift was held to 117 yards from scrimmage with a rushing touchdown on 26 touches across two games against Detroit last season. But they’ll be seeing him twice a year for the foreseeable future, and the split from 2023 keeps working out for both sides.
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St. Browns deal got similar treatment, with most of his 2026 salary converted into a signing bonus to create more room in the short term. It is the kind of cap maneuver that helps a contender keep its roster flexible, but it also means Detroit is choosing future obligations now in exchange for breathing room later, a tradeoff that can look smart if the wins keep coming and a little riskier if the bill lands before the window closes. [Read more 🡒]
Lions Fans Have 1 Big Reason To Watch These Week 2 Matchups
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A few individual names stand out in that conversation, too. Cornerbacks Jones and Nestor, along with defensive lineman Stone, have already shown flashes in past outings, and this weekend gives them another shot to strengthen their cases against better competition. For the Lions, the appeal is obvious: these are the kinds of games that can turn a player from an intriguing watch list name into a legitimate prospect worth tracking all fall. [Read more 🡒]
Penei Sewell Is About To Face Detroits Biggest Line Test Yet
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It also sets up a real test against a Saints pass rush that can create problems even without Cam Jordan, who is out injured. New Orleans is still expected to lean on edge pressure from Chase Young and Carl Granderson, and how Sewell handles the switch could go a long way toward determining whether Detroits protection stays stable as the season moves forward. [Read more 🡒]