The Chicago Bears went all out during the 2024 offseason trying to improve their football team, specifically on the offensive side of the football. The Bears drafted Caleb Williams and Rome Odunze, signed Keenan Allen, gave DJ Moore a contract extension, and signed D’Andre Swift.
With high expectations, Chicago’s offense struggled. They finished 5-12 and the offense showed too much inconsistencies, leading to the firing of Shane Waldron.
One of those inconsistencies was the run game, led by Swift who Swift signed a 3-year, $24 million contract with the Bears. The statistics show that the running back didn’t live up to the expectations of his contract.
What went wrong for the Chicago Bears running back
Kevin Fishbain of The Athletic explained what went wrong for Swift in the 2024 season.
“Swift had as many games with 90 plus rushing yards (three) as he had 20 yards or fewer,” Fishbain wrote.
During the 2023 season with the Philadelphia Eagles, Swift ran for 1,049 rushing yards and averaged 4.6 yards per carry.Looking at the numbers this season, it’s a down year for Swift as he averaged 3.5 yards per carry or less in 10 of 17 games this season.
Fishbain also wrote how the Bears downgraded tremendously in rushing EPA (expected points added) and were in the bottom tier of yards per carry.
“After back to back seasons in the top 13 in rushing EPA per TruMedia, the Bears dropped to 23rd. They were 27th in yards per carry,” Fishbain wrote. “Among the 50 runners with at least 100 carries, Swift ranked 48th in EPA and 45th in success percentage”
D’Andre Swift still can be a star for the Bears offense
© Grace Hollars/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Even though Swift had a downgrade of a season, there is no doubt he can still be a game-changer in the Bears offense. To his defense, the offensive line struggled, instantly blowing up plays and making it hard to find openings to run. Swift still showed the explosiveness he was known for at points during the season including the 59-yard touchdown run against the Commanders.
But that wasn’t consistent all season.
The Bears are hoping he can figure that out in 2025.
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