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Bears Mandatory Minicamp: Ben Johnson's latest comments on D'Andre Swift should have fans fired up about these two working together again

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Kole Noble | Last updated Jun 3, 2025 9:25 PM ET

Ben Johnson and the rest of the Chicago Bears' coaching staff have brought a lot of intensity and attention to detail to the practices this offseason, which continued on Tuesday during the first session of mandatory minicamp.

The offensive scheme is slowly coming together, which has been expected at this point of the year, with the staff getting to know the players and vice versa.

One player Johnson has gotten a chance to reacquaint himself with is starting running back D'Andre Swift.

Swift spent the first three years of his career in Detroit, including the final two alongside Johnson, with the 2022 season being Johnson's first year as the Lions' offensive coordinator.

The two know each other well. Swift's aware of what Johnson expects out of his players and Johnson understands what kind of player Swift can be on the field.

"Here's what I know about him: He is a fierce competitor and that's what I love about him," Johnson explained on Tuesday. "When the lights are bright, you're going to know exactly what you're going to get. If you tell him that you're going to need one yard - four yards - whatever that is, he's going to find a way to put a shoulder down and move the pile and get that done for you."

Swift showed a certain level of that in 2024 during his first season in Chicago making some big plays, but the production level was way to inconsistent for a starting running back. Instead of finding a new lead back, Johnson and running backs coach Eric Bieniemy are looking to build Swift back up by concentrating on all the little details.

"The little stuff is big," Swift explained to reporters. "Details, tracks. How Ben wants it has to be to a tee. So, that's the stuff that we're working on. Not just running backs, but as an offense."

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The last time Swift played in a Johnson-led offense, he recorded the most efficient season of his career totaling 5.5 yards per attempt on the ground and 6.3 yards per touch overall. Last season, Swift set career-lows in both categories.

Going back to the basics is the best way to get Swift back on the tracks. It also takes a certain level of consistency and motivation from Swift himself to get there.

"I'm self-motivated. I don't need nobody, no clips, no highlights, anything like that," Swift said. "I know who I am and I know what I'm about. What motivates me is the work that I put in, how I prepare... I'm just excited, I can't explain that enough."

He seems to have a renewed sense of purpose this offseason and the coaching staff is aiming to bring out the best in all their players the right way. It's an encouraging thing to see going into the season.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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