Bears sign RB D'Andre Swift to 3yr, $24M contract

[Rusty Trombagent]

that tweet also cuts off those two insane games he had in september where he had 300 combined rushing yards.

[The Cooler King]

At 5’9” 215, he’s virtually identical to Juice, but he’s caught almost 200 passes in four years, so that’s probably what they like. Probably means Foreman walks.

Oh yea, Foreman definitely is gone. There were some weird quotes after the season. He wasn't happy here.

[southdakbearfan]

More dynamic, better in pass game, shortish contract.

Eliminates a draft need, let’s roschon develop and makes Herbert possibly expendable.

[HisRoyalSweetness]

$8M per huh... puts him 9th in the league in that category.

That will likely drop as more RBs sign.

Still seems high compared to what RBs were getting last season. Perhaps the league is beginning to see more value in RBs at last.

Let's hope Swift does a lot better in Chicago than the Pro Bowl RB the Eagles let go last year (16 games, 5 starts, 432 yards at 3.3 ypc and 1 TD)... but then Sanders did end up with the woeful Panthers.

[dave99]

The Athletic ranked him 45th out of 150 free agents

Swift might lack the power and low pad level of the backs above him here, but he has plenty of wiggle to make people miss and burst to escape tacklers in tight areas. He’s just not the finisher that some bigger-bodied guys are. He catches the ball easily, is very effective running angle routes and can adjust smoothly to bad throws. Given his youth, he could merit a three- or four-year contract. — Mueller

https://theathletic.com/5326462/2024/03 ... ee-agents/

[Sweetness34]

I was hoping for Barkley, but very glad we didn't overpay for Jacobs. Swift will do. Excited to see what Swift can do in Chicago.

[spudbear]

I suppose he could be an upgrade to Herbert, or maybe it's some competition for Herbert to see if he's willing/able to put up numbers in a contract year.
I'm guessing they still draft a RB in day 3 if Poles has some more picks from a trade down, otherwise it's scouring the scrap heap for #4 RB. Maybe draft a RB next year.

[HisRoyalSweetness]

Anybody know what Swift's pass blocking is like? It was a major weakness of the Bears RBs last season.

[Magilla_Gorilla]

Anybody know what Swift's pass blocking is like? It was a major weakness of the Bears RBs last season.

PFF has him graded a few spots below Herbert - in the 40's.

[Ditka’s dictaphone]

I’m in favour of this move, I like him.

It’s a tentative thumbsup

[HisRoyalSweetness]

Anybody know what Swift's pass blocking is like? It was a major weakness of the Bears RBs last season.

PFF has him graded a few spots below Herbert - in the 40's.

[WagonForce]

Head scratcher for me. Hopefully it works out for the Bears.

[wab]

Pollard was signed for the exact same amount and he's arguably a better player.

[HisRoyalSweetness]

Some 2023 Swift highlights to enjoy:



And a Bears highlight Swift would no doubt rather forget!

[HisRoyalSweetness]

Pollard was signed for the exact same amount and he's arguably a better player.

They've had kind of similar career trajectories, both breaking out in Year 4 with a thousand yard Pro Bowl season. Pollard backed his up with another thousand yard season last year. Let's hope Swift does the same for the Bears.

Swift's nearly 2 years younger so that's a bonus I guess.

[alexwilkins]

Pollard was signed for the exact same amount and he's arguably a better player.

Swift had more yards on less carries and is younger. I like the move the more I look into the RB market.

[Otis Day]

Anybody know what Swift's pass blocking is like? It was a major weakness of the Bears RBs last season.

Doubt they brought him in to block. He will be catching quite a few out of the backfield probably.

[HisRoyalSweetness]

An older video, but a bit of background on the Bears new signing. (No guarantees it's all accurate.)

[crueltyabc]

He was meh as a lion and had the easiest job in the league last year. I think he’s gonna end up pissing us off by failing to get the easy yards at times while he’s trying to hit a HR

[thunderspirit]

Much will depend on the actual contract, rather than the breathless reported details (typically from the player's rep side of things). I'll reserve full judgment on the deal itself until then.

Swift is a good receiving back with some burst. He's gonna get nicked up (but then so does Herbert, as we know). At $8M AAV it's hard to think the Bears don't consider him a starter.

[dplank]

Much will depend on the actual contract, rather than the breathless reported details (typically from the player's rep side of things). I'll reserve full judgment on the deal itself until then.

Swift is a good receiving back with some burst. He's gonna get nicked up (but then so does Herbert, as we know). At $8M AAV it's hard to think the Bears don't consider him a starter.

Was just coming in to post this same thought. I need to see the contract, feels like an overpay just like Byard but the devil is in the detail here.

[Ditka’s dictaphone]

Some 2023 Swift highlights to enjoy:

Nice

And a Bears highlight Swift would no doubt rather forget!

He’s a bear alright. Imagine if Velus had done that

[Grizzled]

Would have liked for the first signing to be a DE.

[dplank]

Would have liked for the first signing to be a DE.

As long as we sign an impact DL I don't care about the order...but this is an odd start IMO. C'mon Poles, make a splash on the DL!!!

[wab]

D'Andre Swift deal, per source

-$4M signing bonus
-$3.89M base salary for 2024, $100K workout bonus ($5.32M cap hit)
-$100K workout bonuses in 25, 26
-$15.28 total guaranteed

[dplank]

Cool - 5M isn't that bad...did the Byard contract come out yet?

[Ditka’s dictaphone]

D'Andre Swift deal, per source

-$4M signing bonus
-$3.89M base salary for 2024, $100K workout bonus ($5.32M cap hit)
-$100K workout bonuses in 25, 26
-$15.28 total guaranteed

I’ll take that

[thunderspirit]

D'Andre Swift deal, per source

-$4M signing bonus
-$3.89M base salary for 2024, $100K workout bonus ($5.32M cap hit)
-$100K workout bonuses in 25, 26
-$15.28 total guaranteed

Hmm. Feels a little high in guaranteed money, but not terrible under the current cap.

[Bearfacts]

Poles once again going after positions in FA that have generally been devalued. It'll be interesting to see what else they do, but I have a feeling a top-tier DL is not in the cards.

I'm looking forward to seeing how Swift plays into the offense - hopefully he'll live up to the contract. I also can't see Herbert as being part of the plans beyond this year when they're paying Swift.

Poles continues to surprise the media and Bears fans by doing what's not been expected. It's pretty clear by now that how he views building his roster and using his cap differs from what others expect. What else has he been hatching we don't expect?

Swift is a different style back than either Herbert or Johnson and he's both a good receiver and a decent pass blocker neither of which are Herbert's long suit. Herbert is also in the final year of his rookie deal and was unlikely to be extended. Is it possible he'll be traded getting a pick for him rather than allowing him to leave as a FA? At his price tag it's pretty certain that Swift will see more work than Herbert and Johnson is gonna be the guy who handles the tougher carries and a lot of pass blocking.

[wab]

I mean technically FA does also include Bates, Jaylon, and Bayrd. So it’s not like he’s done nothing. But it do be feelin like it.