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Bears Predicted to Trade D'Andre Swift in Package for Elite RB

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Jordan J. Wilson | Last updated Apr 15, 2025 5:00 AM ET

The Chicago Bears have indicated running back D'Andre Swift is in their plans for next season, but could that change if they can trade him for an upgrade?

Speculation about the Bears selecting a running back in the 2025 NFL draft has endured since they hired Ben Johnson as their new head coach in late January. Draft analysts have also regularly projected them to target the top prospect in the class — Boise State's Ashton Jeanty — with the No. 10 pick in the first round.

If the Bears are determined to get Jeanty, though, they may not have the luxury of sitting on their hands for nine picks ... and that's where Swift could come in.

Bleacher Report's Moe Moton recently predicted the Bears could use Swift as a trade chip and package him with "premium" draft picks to move up for Jeanty.

The projected trade terms would see the Bears acquire the No. 6 overall pick from the Las Vegas Raiders (with plans to select Jeanty) in exchange for Swift along with the No. 10 overall pick and their third-round selection (No. 72).

"If Jeanty is available when the Raiders go on the clock for the No. 6 pick, the Bears can package Swift and a couple of premium picks to move up for Jeanty," Moton wrote. "The Raiders can upgrade the backfield by acquiring Swift and then draft a running back with one of three Day 2 picks to significantly improve their ground game, which finished with the fewest rushing yards last season."

Swift had a rough first season with the Bears in 2024, averaging a career-low 3.8 yards per carry as the featured back in a disjointed offense that changed play-callers multiple times and had a rookie quarterback leading the charge.

While the Bears have expressed confidence in Swift moving forward into 2025, the complexion of his situation would change if they drafted Jeanty — who has a similarly elusive skill set and would presumably take the No. 1 role from him.

Jeanty is a three-down back who nearly broke Barry Sanders' college football rushing record in 2024 with 2,601 yards and 29 touchdowns for Boise State. If the Bears draft him, he becomes one of the foundational pieces of their offense.

Maybe the Bears would want to pair Jeanty with Swift, but the power-running Roschon Johnson makes more sense as a complementary backfield partner.

The difficult part would be persuading the running back-needy Raiders that trading down for Swift and an extra third-round pick is worth passing on Jeanty, but it could happen if the Raiders decide to address arguably more important needs.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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