The Chicago Bears just locked up another cornerstone player long term, handing running back D’Andre Swift a massive three-year extension worth $33.75 million, with an incredible $27.5 million guaranteed. This move, reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter, shows exactly what Chicago thinks of their 27-year-old offensive weapon.
Swift Was THE Guy Last Season, And They Paid Him Like It
Swift was absolutely critical for head coach Ben Johnson’s offense last season. The dude went off, rushing for a whopping 1,087 yards and nine touchdowns. He wasn’t just a ground threat either, hauling in 34 passes for 299 yards and another score. Swift’s explosiveness was a huge reason the Bears finished 11-6 and snagged the NFC North title. Johnson and Swift clearly have a connection, going way back to their days with the Detroit Lions, who drafted Swift in 2020. After a stint with the Eagles in 2023, Swift signed with Chicago in March 2024, and now, with his original deal set to expire after the 2026 season, they are making sure he sticks around.
The Bears Are Making Moves, Freeing Up Cash To Keep Their Core
This wasn’t some isolated decision either. The Bears’ front office has been busy this offseason, playing chess, not checkers, to lock in their key guys. They started early, reworking deals for Jonah Jackson and Cole Kmet back in April, which instantly opened up over $10 million in cap space. Then in August, they dropped a bomb, extending right tackle Darnell Wright with a four-year, $116 million deal through 2031, with about $93 million guaranteed. That made Wright the highest-paid right tackle by average annual value in the league, a clear signal they value their offensive line. They even restructured deals for Joe Thuney, Dayo Odeyingbo, and T.J. Edwards, freeing up another $17 million for the 2026 books! All these smart maneuvers weren’t just for fun; they strategically got the team under the cap and gave them the flexibility to pull off Swift’s extension before the regular season even kicks off.
The Season Kicks Off Soon, And The Bears Are Ready
With all these pieces in place, the Bears are clearly signaling their intentions. They’re heading into Week 1 at the Carolina Panthers with their core locked up and their roster looking solid. This commitment to Swift and other key players means they are aiming for more than just another NFC North title; they want to build something special, and it all starts now.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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