The first time D'Andre Swift worked with Ben Johnson, the relationship lasted one season before Swift was traded away. Swift is hoping that their second stint together isn't as short.
The running back saw his career revived last season under Johnson in the coach's first season with the Chicago Bears, and Swift wants to see that relationship continue. The question becomes whether the Bears want to keep Swift or look for a cheaper, perhaps younger solution at the position as he heads into the final year of his contract.
"I have no idea, but hopefully I did enough for them to want me back because I know I don't want to go anywhere else," Swift told the Chicago Sun-Times. "I hope it plays itself out that way. I love the city, I love the coaching staff and the men that I work with. That's out of my control, but if I had it my way, I'd be back. I don't want to play nowhere else."
Swift, 27, logged career highs in rushing yards (1,087) and rushing touchdowns (nine) in 2025, helping the Bears make the postseason for the first time in five years. He's even set to hit the salary cap for less money this season ($8.8 million, per Over The Cap) than he did in 2024 ($9.3 million), albeit with no guaranteed money left on his deal.
Although Swift said he didn't change his running style last season, it was clear that something was different from the 2024 season, jumping from 3.8 yards per carry to 4.9 last year. An upgraded offensive line certainly helped, but Swift also credited Johnson's system for opening up more big-play opportunities.
"First of all, Ben always believed in me as a player, so just him giving me opportunities was great," Swift said. "The more opportunities I'm given, the more I can make stuff happen."
Then again, this happened once before with Johnson, in 2022. That was when he became the Lions' offensive play caller, helping spur Swift to a career-best 5.5 yards per carry. The following offseason, Swift was traded to the Eagles.
Swift would love to see his partnership with Kyle Monangai continue after the pair helped the Bears finish third in the NFL with 144.5 rush yards per game. And if he stays, Swift also would like to be a bigger part of the passing game after finishing last season with some of the lowest receiving totals of his career.
"I can do more," he said. "I wish I would've been able to contribute a little more in the passing game. We've got so many pass catchers on the field, so whenever it does come up, I try to make something happen with it, but I do know I could do more."
Now we wait to see if the Bears and Johnson remain interested in keeping Swift around longer than just one year this time around.
