The Bears and D’Andre Swift agreed to terms on a three-year, $33.75 million contract extension with $27.5 million guaranteed Friday, a source said. His current deal, signed in 2024, was set to expire after the season.
The extension gives Swift guaranteed money beyond this year and helps the Bears hedge against the rising costs of running backs. Last month, the Lions’ Jahmyr Gibbs, the Falcons’ Bijan Robinson and the Colts’ Jonathan Taylor agreed to top-of-the-market extensions. Swift’s new deal settles in the middle class.
Swift had perhaps the most impressive training camp of any Bears player, and general manager Ryan Poles didn’t rule out a new deal last week. Players and teams usually treat the first game of the year as an artificial deadline to get deals done.
“It’s definitely something we need to look at — and we will look at,” Poles said then. “I think he’s done a great job. I love his approach this offseason. He looks amazing. Second year in the system too. … This is where this job gets tough, trying to figure out how you want to allocate everything not only for now but into the future. We’ll have those conversations and see where we want to go with it. I love Swiftie. I love the way that he’s working.”
Poles has to be conscientious about how he allocates money next year and beyond. Quarterback Caleb Williams and wide receiver Rome Odunze will be eligible for contract extensions the minute this season ends, and the Bears already presume that they’ll have to pay tight end Colston Loveland a lofty price a year from then.
Swift struggled in his first year with the Bears but was outstanding last season. With help from running backs coach Eric Bieniemy, who has since left for the Chiefs, Swift focused on staying true to the running path of each play and running for fewer losses. He averaged 4.9 yards per carry on 223 rushes last season after averaging 3.8 on 253 rushes a year earlier. He had a career-high nine rushing touchdowns last season.
“I think he’s just put himself in position to have a great year,” running backs coach Eric Studesville said Thursday. “I love how he works. He’s been more impressive in person. I was already impressed with him on tape. You know, seeing him as around the league and doing things, but being around him every day, how he approaches it and what he does, is really impressive.”