The Chicago Bears spent relatively big to acquire running back D'Andre Swift only one year ago, but he could be on his way out the door just as quickly.
Swift wasn't terrible last season, though he did put up a career low 3.8 yards per carry behind what was among the least effective offensive lines in the NFL. Chicago paid him $24 million on a three-year deal following his first ever Pro Bowl campaign in 2023 as a member of the Philadelphia Eagles, but Swift's production didn't live up to the contract.
Before his one-year stint with the Eagles, Swift spent three years with the team that drafted him -- the Detroit Lions. He played under then-offensive coordinator Ben Johnson in 2022, who is now the head coach in Chicago. Johnson was part of a group of decision makers that chose to trade Swift to Philadelphia and replace him with Jahmyr Gibbs, whom the Lions drafted 12th overall in 2023.
Given Swift's history with Johnson and his downturn in production with the Bears last season, it isn't unreasonable to imagine that the new head coach will look to upgrade at the running back position in next week's NFL draft. That, in turn, could lead to Swift ending up on the trade block.
Moe Moton of Bleacher Report predicted exactly that outcome in a trade proposal he authored on Thursday, April 17.
"According to ESPN's Matt Miller, the Bears 'love' blue-chip running back prospect Ashton Jeanty," Moton wrote. "If they move up for Jeanty or the Boise State product falls to them at No. 10, he would likely take on the workhorse role in Chicago's backfield, raising questions about Swift's future with the team. Even if the Bears aren't able to draft Jeanty but still take a running back within the first two rounds, they could look to trade Swift before their organized activities start in late May."
The biggest obstacle to the Bears trading Swift, who is now 26 years old, will likely be his $8 million annual average salary.
