Eberflus delighted, Bears moved quickly to sign 'weapon' Swift

Chicago Bears head coach Matt Eberflus explained why the team pounced on running back D'Andre Swift at the start of free agency.

“Just a weapon back,” Eberflus said of Swift, according to Grant Gordon of NFL Network. “You know, we really needed that guy who can really operate on third down and even first or second down and be a weapon in the deep end and the short end of the field and go the distance. And he's got a lot gas. “

Chicago made Swift the first player signed when the legal tampering period opened on March 11, signing him to a three-year, $24 million contract.

The 25-year-old spent last season with the Philadelphia Eagles after the club acquired him in a trade with the Detroit Lions over draft weekend. He rushed for over 1,000 yards for the first time, accumulating 1,263 total yards and six scores.

However, Philadelphia used Swift's receiving ability less than the Lions during the first three years of his career. He recorded a career-low 39 receptions and 49 targets in 2023.

“D’Andre looked really good this offseason,” Eberflus said. “Obviously, as you know, he's very quick, he's a weapon out of the backfield, which is exceptional for our passing game, and that's going to create mismatches for us. He can do a lot of things from the backfield, we can split it wide and run the full route tree, so it's exciting to watch.

Swift will join a backfield that includes Roschon Johnson and Khalil Herbert. In 2023, Chicago ranked second in the NFL in rushing yards per game, although many of those yards came from quarterback Justin Fields, who averaged 50.5 per game.

The Bears will have a new offense next season, with No. 1 pick Caleb Williams taking over the starting job. The club also added veteran Keenan Allen, tight end Gerald Everett and first-round pick Rome Odunze. Chicago hired former Seattle Seahawks offensive coordinator Shane Waldron this offseason to take on the same role.

“It’s a total offense, but it’s going to take some work,” Swift said. “It's a new offense, we're all new here. The coaching staff is new. The rookie quarterback. So it's going to be a learning experience for everyone, but I have confidence in the group That we have.”

Chicago will open its campaign on September 8 against the Tennessee Titans.