LAKE FOREST — In D’Andre Swift’s first game in front of the Philadelphia crowd at Lincoln Financial Field last season, he showed Eagles fans exactly what he could do.
The 5-foot-9, 215-pound running back finished with a career high 175 yards and a rushing touchdown on 28 carries in the 34-28 victory over the Minnesota Vikings.
“It was special,” Swift said. “That game was special. Being back home for the first time, first home game. Just having the opportunity to get those carries, the opportunities to get the attempts to kind of make stuff happen. That game I was just locked in. I was blocking out the crowd, everything. It was one I’ll remember for sure.”
The Bears signed Swift to a three-year, $24 million deal on Wednesday — which easily makes Swift the highest-paid running back on the Bears roster since Khalil Herbert and Roschon Johnson are still on their rookie contracts.
To maximize Swift and the contract he signed, he needs to get the most opportunities out of the Bears’ running backs this upcoming season. The former second-round pick out of Georgia understands what he brings to the Bears’ backfield.
“Playmaking ability,” Swift said. “A team-first guy, a great locker room guy, a guy that wants to win first and foremost. That’s what it’s all about. A guy who is going to come in here and work every single day, the same mentality every single day. Looking forward to winning and getting the most out of me. That’s all. This city and this organization is going to get that.
Only three times in Swift’s four-year career has he had 20 or more rushing attempts, and two of them happened while he was in Philadelphia. Swift is a believer that more rushing attempts throughout a game is beneficial for a running back.
“Yeah, I would say for any back you kind of need touches to get a feel for the game,” Swift. “Every game is different. I think I speak for any running back. You need touches to get a feel for the game, and the more touches you get the game kind of slows down for you and it comes a little bit, I wouldn’t say easier, but you make a little bit more things happen.”
It will be up to offensive coordinator Shane Waldron to determine how to best utilize Swift next season. Swift is coming off a career high in rushing yards with 1,049 yards and ended last season tied for 17th with 22 runs of 10 or more yards, according to Pro Football Focus.
The Lions decided to trade Swift after three seasons to the Eagles and then Swift found himself in free agency after having a career year. Detroit and Philadelphia didn’t value what he brought to the team, but Swift felt the want from the Bears’ organization and now he has another opportunity to prove his worth.
“Ultimately it came down to where I was wanted the most,” Swift said.” I feel like this was the best decision for me, best opportunity for me with everything that was out there. I feel like I made the best decision. I’m excited to be here. Excited to be a Bear.”
