D’Andre Swift just got an alarming reminder of his NFL standing and Ben Johnson could soon decide to cut ties once again
Chicago Bears running back D’Andre Swift was left off ESPN’s Top-10 running back rankings, and honorable mentions, as voted on by NFL coaches and executives. It should serve as an alarm for Swift going into the 2026 season.
D’Andre Swift had a standout season in 2025 after reuniting with head coach Ben Johnson as the lead back of his high-powered offense with the Chicago Bears.
Yet, Swift will be the first to tell you that he left too much meat on the bone. But, it was certainly an improved season for the veteran back playing in a much friendlier system with a stronger offensive front paving the road.
Swift finished the 2025-26 season with a career-high 1,087 rushing yards and nine rushing touchdowns while averaging 4.9 yards per carry. He continued to be a home-run threat while also handling over 250 touches in the offense. Was that kind of season enough to change his standing around the league? Not really and that should raise the alarms for Swift going into a contract year.
Chicago Bears RB D’Andre Swift left off ESPN’s Top-10 RBs ranking
Each offseason, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler speaks with anonymous NFL execs, coaches, and scouts to compile a list of the Top-10 players at each position. This year’s edition kicked off on Monday with the running backs, and included three honorable mentions. Based on the totals, Swift was not included in that Top-13, but he did receive some votes.
It’s the same standing Swift had in last year’s edition following his first season in Chicago, a sign that his overall status as a player didn’t change much despite his improved statistical season. Johnson’s evaluation of Swift’s season explains why other people around the league are still skeptical about calling him one of the top backs in the league.
“He’s a dynamic player, I’ve known that about him since he came into the league firsthand up there in Detroit and certainly last year,” Johnson said of Swift. “I wasn’t surprised with the year that he had… Is he capable of more? Absolutely. He absolutely is. And he’s a vital part of what we do here.”
D’Andre Swift still has a lot to prove, and time is running out to actually prove it
As previously mentioned, Swift is entering into the final year of his three-year, $24 million deal he signed with the Bears back in 2024. Compared to the team’s run at Saquon Barkley, who signed a three-year, $37.75 million deal with the Philadelphia Eagles that same offseason, the Bears got good value with Swift. But, they also understood they weren’t getting an out-of-this-world style player.
Johnson might feel a different way about the kind of player he wants in his backfield. It wasn’t that long ago that good enough wasn’t good enough for Johnson, leading the Detroit Lions to move on from Swift for Jahmyr Gibbs. While Swift has since then, he still carries the label of a good enough player around the NFL.
“I can do more,” Swift explained. “I wish I would’ve been able to contribute a little more in the passing game. We’ve got so many pass catchers on the field, so whenever it does come up, I try to make something happen with it, but I do know I could do more.”
Time is running out to actually prove it on the field. It’s not only Swift’s future in Chicago on the line in 2026, it’s also about proving to other rest of the league he’s capable of being a top-ranked back in the scenario that he hits the open market once again.
As for the Bears, if Johnson isn’t pleased with the improvement Swift makes in 2026, he could be looking for his replacement once again.
Could that be making a run at Jonathan Taylor in free agency? Or targeting a top back again in the 2027 NFL Draft? Time will tell, but the ball is in Swift’s court to prove he has what it takes to be the top back Johnson wants for his offense.