Are the Chicago Bears Sticking with Their Pro Bowl Running Back?
D’Andre Swift would rush for 959 yards and six touchdowns in his first season with the Chicago Bears last season. Chicago signed the free agent last year to a three-year, $24 million contract in March 2024. He would be coming off his best season so far in the NFL with the Philadelphia Eagles, where he rushed for 1,049 yards and five touchdowns. Despite the relatively good numbers in year one with the Bears, many fans expected the team to target a new running back in the offseason, or with their first few picks in the draft. Chicago hasn’t signed or traded for any running backs so far this offseason, and would select running back Kyle Monangai with its 233rd overall pick in the seventh round.
While Monangai will have every opportunity to compete for carries and work his way up the depth chart, it’s clear to many Bears fans that drafting a running back early to compete for the starting spot wasn’t a priority in this year's draft. The Bears could’ve been targeting to trade up for now Los Angeles Raider, Ashton Jeanty, but would ultimately stay put at pick 10. Swift is regarded around the league as a mediocre starting running back, and not someone that can be the future of a franchise. For Chicago however, they could be looking to give Swift another opportunity to be the starter in year two after a good first year with the team. However, the rumor mill has been discussing the Bears possibly making a run for a different running back.
Running back Nick Chubb, who is currently a part of the Cleveland Browns, has been a name recently linked to Chicago. The veteran has spent seven years with the Browns, but their time may be coming to a close. The team would most recently take two running backs from this year’s draft, making it clear that Chubb doesn’t look to be a part of their future plans. The free agent has struggled the last two seasons, only playing in 10 games across those two years. While he hasn’t had success the past few years, he has still proven himself in the league as a top player when healthy. Chubb is also still only 29 years old, with still plenty of time left in the NFL. Chubb will be a name to keep an eye on in Chicago, as competition for the starting spot to run the ball may ramp up in the Windy City.
