Bears News: D’Andre Swift focused on redemption, ready to thrive under Ben Johnson

Ariana Pensy · Correspondent · 1 day ago

CHICAGO - To say the Bears’ rushing attack was underwhelming last season is an understatement. They finished No. 25 in rushing and No. 20 in rushing touchdowns.

Over a fourth of Chicago’s rushing yards last season came from rookie quarterback Caleb Williams, and running back D’Andre Swift finished with a 1,000-yard season for the fourth time in his career.

“Didn’t end it how I wanted to selfishly for me, how I played. But, as a team, it was kind of the same thing. We won (five) games last year, so everything’s under a microscope,” Swift said. I’m being very critical of how I played last year. Excited about this year … My job is to come in here and continue to work and like I said, I’m excited for this season. I know who I am and what I’m about. So, that’s all. I’m thankful for another opportunity going into this season.”

During his three seasons with the Detroit Lions, Swift was not very productive. In those three years combined, he had 1,680 rushing yards. However, he was able to find the endzone 25 times. In his final season with the Lions, Ben Johnson started his first season as Detroit’s offensive coordinator.

He is now going into his first season as Chicago’s head coach, and Swift is excited to be working with Johnson again.

“He’s done a hell of a job, just seeing him transition even from (where) I was before. Just seeing his growth as a coach and as a man. Excited to play for him (again) … He’s one of the smartest football minds I’ve ever been around. Really, really intelligent,” Swift said. “The little stuff is big - details, tracks, how Ben wants it got to be to a T. So, that’s the stuff that we’re working on (and it is) not just running backs. As (an) offense, receiver splits, all the stuff that I hear him say in meetings as little stuff, but that’s big things in this offense because it matters.”

Swift will have a little more company in the running back room. After being the primary running back last season with Roschon Johnson serving as a goalline back, Chicago drafted a running back in the seventh round of the draft - Kyle Monangai.

Monangai had a lot of success during his five years with Rutgers, including his two 1,000-yard seasons.

“Really excited for him, very talented. He’s cool and he’s from Jersey, so we kind of got a little organization from (since) I’m from Philly. He’s from Jersey. So, it’s close,” Swift said. “But, he’s been real good so far. Excited for him.”

The entire running back room will benefit from learning from a seasoned coach in Eric Bieniemy. Bieniemy started his coaching career in the NFL in 2006 as the running backs coach for the Minnesota Vikings. He also served in that role for the Kansas City Chiefs from 2013 to 2017 before being promoted to offensive coordinator in 2018.

During his time coaching, Bieniemy has worked for former Chicago Bears players Leslie Frazier and Ron Rivera, as well as Andy Reid.

“It’s been good, man. His experience and he’s had success for a number of years. So, his style of coaching is something I kind of gravitate to, to be honest with you. Holding everybody accountable, the little stuff is big stuff with him as well. The details and everything like that,” Swift said. “(He’s the) type of coach you want to play for. He ain’t going to let nothing go by the wayside just like Ben and everybody else on the staff. So, make you kind of turn your level up as well.”

There are numerous players deserving of getting the ball this season, so it would not be surprising if Swift sees less touches this coming season as opposed to last year, particularly in the running back.

In 2022, when Johnson was serving as the offensive coordinator for Detroit, Swift had his only season with under 100 rushing attempts.

However, he was also targeted 70 times in the passing game.

“Whenever the opportunity presents itself, just make the most of it. Whatever I got to, whatever I got to block for (wide receiver) DJ (Moore) to get the ball, for (tight end) Cole (Kmet) to get the ball, just we have team success,” Swift said. “So, whatever the play call is, just execute, do your job and then the ball will find you.”