Despite a 1,000-yard resurgence in Chicago’s high-powered offense, anonymous league snubs have left D’Andre Swift fueled for a high-stakes contract year entering the 2026 season.
The Chicago Bears had an offensive renaissance under head coach Ben Johnson.
Compared to how things were under Matt Eberflus, it was a complete 180. It may be safe to say that the offense did a 360 with how much more efficient it was.
Chicago went from having the fifth-fewest passing yards (208.9), eighth-fewest rushing yards (102), and fifth-fewest points per game (18.2) in 2024 to being third in rushing yards (144.5), 12th in passing yards (234.8), and 10th in points per game (24.4) last season.
General Manager Ryan Poles understood that to turn things around, the offensive line needed to improve. Caleb Williams was the most-sacked quarterback in the league as a rookie.
Poles brought in Joe Thuney, Jonah Jackson and Drew Dalman last offseason. The quality of the O-line improved, and the Bears allowed the third-fewest sacks (24) in the NFL in 2025.
With more consistent offensive line play, the rest of the offense improved.
D'Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai did their part in the running game. Swift had the second 1,000-yard season of his NFL career last year, finishing with 1,087 yards and nine touchdowns.
It was the first of his Bears career.
There were injury concerns about Swift early in his career with the Detroit Lions. Those have been alleviated since he joined the Bears in 2024, as he has only missed one game.
Swift has turned his career trajectory around, but apparently it's not enough to earn ample respect around the league.
ESPN's Jeremy Fowler released an article asking anonymous NFL executives, coaches, and scouts who the top 10 running backs in the league were.
Bijan Robinson, Saquon Barkley, Christian McCaffrey, De'Von Achane, Breece Hall, Derrick Henry, Jahmyr Gibbs, Jonathan Taylor, James Cook and Kenneth Walker were ranked.
Where did Swift finish, you might ask? He wasn't even included in the honorable mentions section.
That section had Quinshon Judkins, Josh Jacobs and Kyren Williams.
Swift was in the "also receiving votes" section of the article, with Javonte Williams, Chase Brown, Ashton Jeanty, TreVeyon Henderson, Travis Etienne Jr., and Alvin Kamara.
If I'm Swift, I am absolutely using this as fuel for the 2026 season. Even more so since he's in a contract year and his play could determine whether the Bears give him an extension.
He may not have the respect of the rest of the NFL, but he was a big part of the running game's turnaround last season. The entire city of Chicago is grateful for his efforts in the backfield with Monangai last season.
Swift returns to a running back room that currently contains himself, Monangai, Brittain Brown, Roschon Johnson, Bennett Coleman and Salvon Ahmed.
Chicago is primed to have a solid rushing attack once again, and Swift is one of its key components.
The NFL may not respect Swift as much as he deserves, but the Windy City does.
