Chicago Bears’ Matt Eberflus Opens Up on Signing D’Andre Swift

The Chicago Bears struck quickly to sign former Philadelphia Eagles running back D’Andre Swift as free agency began, and head coach Matt Eberflus explained that the urgency was by design.

“We just felt that we wanted a home-run hitter there,” Eberflus told reporters at the NFL Annual Meeting in Orlando. “I think D’Andre brings that. We wanted a weapon back – a guy who could be a weapon out of the backfield.”

Dropping Swift into an offense that also added future Hall of Fame wide receiver Keenan Allen, along with field-stretching deep-threat D.J. Moore creates a soft landing for likely No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams at quarterback.

Likewise, Swift’s ability to make plays in the open field as an explosive threat in the running game as well as as a pass-catcher out of the backfield was an alluring part of his skill set to Eberflus and the Bears.

Swift surpassed 1,000 rushing yards for the first time last season, finishing the 2023 campaign with 1,049 yards and five rushing touchdowns while adding 39 receptions for 214 yards and another score in an Eagles offense that never quite found its rhythm last season.

Eberflus hopes Swift will make an even more substantial impact on the Bears’ offense in 2024.

“I think he had 49 catches last year or 50 and he brings that,” Eberflus said. “He’s got tremendous speed. You can feel that when he is running the football but you can definitely feel that as a pass catcher.

“I know that in situational football it’s very difficult to be able to have the two guys outside covered, two tight ends covered, and then you got another situation where you have the weapon back inside. So that was critical.”

D’Andre Swift Chicago Bears Contract Details

Chicago made a strong commitment to Swift.

As one of the first players across the league to strike a deal during the NFL’s legal tampering period, Swift’s contract is a three-year pact worth $24 million with $15.28 million guaranteed, including a fully-guaranteed $14 million signing bonus.