The Chicago Bears have a long way to go between now and the regular season kicking off, and after D’Andre Swift’s name was floated in trade speculation for much of the offseason, the veteran running back might still be facing heaps of uncertainty between now and the 2025 season kicking off.
Swift, who the Bears signed hours into free agency in March 2024, rushed for 959 yards with six touchdowns last season but still might not be part of new head coach Ben Johnson’s vision for Chicago’s backfield.
According to a report from ESPN’s Mike Reiss, general manager Ryan Poles and the Bears attempted to trade up to the No. 38 pick in April’s NFL Draft, with sights set on one of the top running backs in this year’s class, after choosing tight end Colston Loveland with the No. 10 pick.
“The Chicago Bears tried to move up to pick No. 38,” Reiss reports. “Offering pick 39 and a seventh-rounder to do so. The assumption is that they wanted running back TreVeyon Henderson.”
Henderson ultimately landed with the New England Patriots, and should become an instant focal point in the offense, around quarterback Drake Maye, and the Bears didn’t select a running back until tabbing former Rutgers star Kyle Monangai in the seventh round.
What Chicago Bears trade rumors say about D’Andre Swift’s role
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On the surface, pairing Monangai, who the Bears seem optimistic can add some explosiveness to the offense, alongside Swift could be akin to attempting to replicate the success Johnson had with David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs with the Detroit Lions.
However, leading up to the draft there was significant speculation that the Bears were dangling Swift in trade talks to move up and select former Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty.
Given that Johnson previously worked with Swift during their time with the Lions should offer some encouragement that the Bears can get the most out of the veteran back this season. But, after spending a portion of the offseason looking to upgrade at the position, perhaps Monangai or a veteran to be added this summer could carve out a more substantial role in Johnson’s offense than Swift can expect to see.
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