Ben Johnson’s commitment to improvement could create an unnecessary problem and put one Bears starter on notice
The Chicago Bears are rumored to be involved in the RB market this offseason.
The Chicago Bears overachieved during the 2025-26 looking at some of the outside expectations, but inside the building, the Bears fell short in the eyes of head coach Ben Johnson.
“It was really hard to accomplish what we accomplished,” Johnson said. “And it wasn’t good enough. It’s going to be that much harder to put ourselves in that position again next season. So (there is) a lot of work coming up.”
The perfectionist that he is, it’s no surprise to hear that coming from Johnson and it’s clear some major changes will be coming to Chicago this offseason to get this team over the hump. One of those potential changes could include the future of running back D’Andre Swift.
Could the Bears look to upgrade the RB position and move on from D’Andre Swift this offseason?
Swift is entering into the final year of the three-year, $24 million contract he signed with the Bears back in 2024 and coming off arguably his best season of his career.
The sixth-year back posted a career-high in rushing yards (1,087), rushing touchdowns (nine), and scrimmage yards (1,386) during his first season back in Ben Johnson’s scheme. Swift previously played two seasons under Johnson from 2021-2022 with the Detroit Lions and Johnson noticed clear improvements in Swift’s game during their second stint together in 2025.
“He’s disciplined on his landmarks, probably the most disciplined I’ve seen him be since he’s been in his career now,” Johnson told reporters in December. “Just staying right on the track and trusting the blocking up-front and helping set up some of those blocks. . .That’s what he’s always had in his body and that’s we’ll continue to need from here on out.”
After such a successful season, why would the Johnson and the Bears consider moving on, especially with Swift still under contract? That’s one of the questions going on in Chicago ahead of free agency.
Looking at Swift’s contract, the team can actually save nearly $7.5 million by cutting him while taking on a $1.3 million cap hit. Financially, it would make sense to move off that deal for the cap savings, but it would then create an unnecessary problem to address at the running back position and leave the team without a starting-caliber back to pair with 2025 rookie Kyle Monangai. But, maybe Johnson and the Bears would prefer another option on the free agent market.
Potential RB names to pay attention to in free agency, including one name already being linked
The upcoming free agent class is ripe for the picking at the running back position, similar to the 2024 free agent class when the Bears shot first by landing Swift, while showing interest in Saquon Barkley as well.
This year’s class is headlined by Travis Etienne, the former Jacksonville Jaguars first-round selection. Etienne is a strong fit in Liam Coen’s offense and Jacksonville will make a solid push to keep him in Duval County. If he hits free agency, Tony Pauline reported the Bears would be a top suitor.
Two other backs that can offer the Bears more speed and explosiveness on the free agent market include Breece Hall and Kenneth Walker III.
Many expected Hall to be dealt at last season’s trade deadline without any long-term commitment from the New York Jets new regime, but a deal never materialized with the former second-round pick.
As for Walker, the Seattle Seahawks former second-round pick is making a strong case for himself to receive a new deal with the postseason performance he had in the NFC’s Divisional Round against the San Francisco 49ers and NFC Championship Game against the Los Angeles Rams.
Ultimately, it all depends on who actually hits the market when it comes to any decision the Bears might make. Those are the only three names that would justify moving on from Swift, based on what the offense is looking for as an upgrade.
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