From 959 to 1,000+: Swift eyes big leap with revamped Bears offensive line

Ariana Pensy · Correspondent · 8 hours ago

CHICAGO - There have been 33 instances in Chicago Bears history where a player finishes a season with at least 1,000 rushing yards. Thus, it is a bit disappointing when a starting running back does not have a 1,000-yard season, especially when they are getting paid $8 million a year.

This is why D’Andre Swift’s 959-yard performance last year was distressing. On a team like the Bears with such a rich history of running backs, this performance does not cut it. Swift has heard all the noise this offseason and is motivated to be the back Chicago needs this season.

Reuniting with Ben Johnson should help him become that player.

“It’s amazing. I can’t say enough how intelligent, smart he is as a play-caller,” Swift said. “Him just knowing his personnel and just putting his guys in position to succeed and that’s all across the board. So, just excited to be a part of this team with him leading it.”

Having a good offensive line also helps a running back be successful and that is not something the Bears had last season. However, the Bears acquired multiple veteran offensive linemen in the offseason through trades and free agency.

Since these players have arrived in Chicago, Swift has been working to develop a relationship with them on and off the field.

“Played with (guard) Jonah (Jackson) early on in my career. (Comfortable) with him and kind of who he is,” Swift said. “Even off the field with them guys, just experience I would say, especially with (guard) Joe (Thuney) and (center) Drew (Dalman) and the guys that they brought in the offseason. Everything gelling good so far, just excited to see where it go.”

Given Swift’s underwhelming season last year, it makes sense that Chicago chose to use one of their draft picks on a running back - Kyle Monangai.

Monangai was a seventh-round selection who was coming off two 1,000-yard seasons at Rutgers.

“He don’t really lack anything from what I’m seeing,” Swift said. “Real confident in style of play, real low to the ground, great catching the ball out the backfield. Solid. Real solid.”

Another draft selection was wide receiver Luther Burden III.

Veteran players like Swift and wide receiver DJ Moore have seen Burden III studying when he could not play due to his soft tissue injury.

“Him studying. He gets called on in meetings. He knows his plays,” Moore said. “So, that’s a good thing and when he gets out there, you just got to be ready to go.”

Neither Swift nor Moore were targeted in the red zone as much. Running back Roschon Johnson typically got the ball when the Bears were on the one-yard line and wide receiver Keenan Allen finished the season with the most touchdowns.

Getting into the red zone was a problem for Chicago last year as they only got there 37 times. However, when the Bears were able to get into the red zone, they scored a touchdown 62.2 percent of the time.

That is part of why Moore, Swift, and the rest of the offense are focused on improving their red zone offense.

“We just got be on timing, everybody in the spots that they need to be and just divide the end zone up with different people that’s going to be in their spots and (quarterback) Caleb (Williams) can throw us the ball too,” Moore said.