Bears Reportedly Agree to $33.75M Swift Extension
Bears Reportedly Agree to $33.75M Swift Extension
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Key Points
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Swift also contributed as a receiver last season, catching 34 passes for 299 yards and one touchdown.
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Swift has a longstanding connection with Bears head coach Ben Johnson: Johnson previously worked with him in Detroit, where the Lions selected Swift in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft, before Swift later played for Philadelphia.
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General manager Ryan Poles had indicated that an extension was under consideration, praising Swift’s offseason preparation and second year in the Bears’ offensive system: “I love the way that he’s working.”
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Chicago created financial flexibility for the extension by restructuring the contracts of Joe Thuney, Dayo Odeyingbo and T.J. Edwards, freeing roughly $17 million for its 2026 salary-cap books.
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The extension preserves the Bears’ pairing of Swift and seventh-round rookie Kyle Monangai; the two backs combined for more than 1,700 yards and 14 touchdowns last season, with Swift providing speed and Monangai bringing a more physical running style.
The Chicago Bears and running back D'Andre Swift have agreed to a three-year, $33.75 million contract extension, Reuters reported. The deal includes $27.5 million guaranteed and keeps Swift with the team through 2029. Swift, 27, just finished his best NFL season, rushing for 1,087 yards and nine touchdowns while catching 34 passes for 299 yards.
The extension signals Chicago's commitment to building around Swift as a core offensive weapon. General manager Ryan Poles praised Swift's work ethic, saying GM Poles "love[s] the way that he's working." The Bears created salary-cap flexibility by restructuring contracts for Joe Thuney, Dayo Odeyingbo, and T.J. Edwards, freeing roughly $17 million for 2026.
A Career-Best Season Earns Swift Top-Tier Guarantees
Swift's 1,087 rushing yards represent a personal high in his NFL career. His nine touchdown runs and 34 receiving catches show he's become a complete offensive weapon. Reuters noted the $27.5 million guarantee equals roughly 81.5% of the total contract value—an unusually high share that reveals Chicago sees him as a long-term cornerstone, not a short-term rental.
Swift's connection to Bears head coach Ben Johnson runs deep. Johnson previously worked with him in Detroit when the Lions drafted Swift in the second round of 2020. That familiarity likely factored into Swift's rapid integration into Chicago's offense during his first season with the team.
Swift and Monangai Form a Potent Two-Back Combination
The extension preserves Chicago's powerful running back pairing. Swift and seventh-round rookie Kyle Monangai combined for more than 1,700 yards and 14 touchdowns last season. Swift brings speed and receiving versatility while Monangai delivers a more physical, downhill running style.
This complementary duo gives the Bears multiple offensive looks. Swift lines up in space and creates yards in open field. Monangai punishes defenders between the tackles. Together they provide flexibility for offensive coordinator Ben Johnson to design schemes that keep defenses off balance.
Contract Restructures Free Up Salary-Cap Room
Chicago created financial breathing room by restructuring three key defensive players' deals. Tackles Joe Thuney and Dayo Odeyingbo, plus linebacker T.J. Edwards, all took restructured contracts. The moves freed approximately $17 million for the Bears' 2026 salary-cap books.
This financial maneuvering reflects how modern NFL teams operate. Instead of cutting productive players, teams restructure to spread cap hits across multiple years. Chicago's move lets them pay Swift while preserving depth and flexibility heading into the 2026 season opener against Carolina.
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