D’Andre Swift officially signed a three-year extension with the Chicago Bears on Friday, and Week 1 proved that deal isn’t just about the money, it’s about a complete shift in his role. Swift played a massive 43-of-75 snaps for the Bears and was absolutely electric in offensive coordinator Ben Johnson’s run attack as Chicago ran roughshod over the Panthers. For a guy who’s been pegged as “not good enough” to be a franchise running back, first with the Lions, then the Eagles, and even having Kyle Monangai on his heels last year, this is a whole new chapter.
Swift Is Officially The Guy
The book on Swift has always been that he just couldn’t quite step up to be an unquestioned lead back. His ADP coming into the season placed him right at the entrance of the RB Dead Zone, barely ahead of MarShawn Lloyd. But now? His contract values him like a legitimate lead back, and his usage in Week 1 backs that up completely. Johnson even said he’s aiming to set the NFL scoring record, and while that might sound wild, watching Swift tear it up makes you think he wasn’t lying. Johnson knows his defense is rough, so the offense has to carry the load, and Swift looks like a cornerstone of that plan. If he keeps playing 60 percent of the Bears’ snaps and they lean on the run like this, he’s going to be one of the best picks of the season.
The Week 1 Roller Coaster for Others
While Swift is clearly on the upswing, Week 1 brought some mixed signals for other players. We all know Derrick Henry can have monster games, and he delivered for the Baltimore Ravens. The real promising aspect here probably isn’t just the box score, but what it means for his floor and ceiling going forward. Elsewhere, it’s a bit more complicated. Jayden Daniels had a rough Week 1, but you can’t just write off his 2026 season because of it. That Commanders’ offensive line is depleted, he only had two designed runs, and the weapons around him aren’t exactly plentiful. Against a tough Eagles defense, it’s fair to say we need a few more weeks to really see how things shake out. And then there’s Breece Hall. He absolutely smashed around the Titans, but with all due respect to Robert Saleh’s defensive scheme, we need to see him do it against a better defense before his stock truly goes up. Justin Fields didn’t even start, and Dalton Kincaid looked great before he started getting tackled for real.
The early season is always about finding out who’s for real and whose situation has truly shifted. For Swift, the contract and the snap count tell you everything you need to know about his new trajectory. It’s only Week 1, but for some, the stage is already set for a massive season, and everyone else is just trying to catch up.
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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