The Chicago Bears are set to pick first in the upcoming 2024 NFL Draft, and one thing they are expected to do is to get the team position players.
The team already has a reliable quarterback in Justin Fields, and they could pick another one in the draft, someone who is NFL-ready.
The Bears are doing as expected by signing D'Andre Swift from the Philadelphia Eagles.
According to his agent, Trevon Smith, the 25-year-old running back agreed to a three-year, $24.5 million deal, including $15.3 million guaranteed.
Swift departed from the Eagles, with whom he played for one productive season.
As part of the Eagles, he rushed for over 1,000 yards, the first time he's done that since entering the league in 2020 as the Detroit Lions' 35th overall pick. For that, he was selected to his first-ever 2024 Pro Bowl Games.
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Swift could have chosen to stay with the Eagles, but the contract and a chance to play a more prominent role with the Bears are too enticing.
The Bears fortified the running back position, making Fields' job easier.
Khalil Herbert and Roschon Johnson will be relegated to relievers, but that is a problem that Coach Matt Eberflus would love to have.
Swift's dynamic offense gives the Bears flexibility
A quarterback needs protection, and one way to do it is to have a dynamic running back who can relieve the pressure on the play-caller.
Fields and whoever they pick in the NFL 2024 draft should be able to call more players with Swift, who is coming off a career season. He rushed for 1,049 yards with 4.6 yards per carry and five touchdowns. He can also get it on as a pass catcher, completing 39 catches that led to 214 yards and a touchdown.
The QB1 can utilize Swift's passing game with his ability to cut on a dime and go through the gaps.
Swift was fifth in rushing yards last season. The ones above him are San Francisco 49ers RB and MVP candidate Christian McCaffrey (1,459), veteran Derrick Henry (1,167), Kyren Williams (1,144), and James Cook (1,122).
Eberflus is refurbishing his coaching staff, including hiring coaches for different positions.
Among them is Chad Morton, who was hired as running back coach. He has 24 seasons of experience as a player and assistant coach.
He played six NFL seasons as a running back, with the New York Giants as his last stop.
Morton transitioned into an assistant coach and won the Super Bowl with the Green Bay Packers in 2010.
Swift is only 25 years old and has yet to enter an athlete's peak years.
The Eagles' refusal to take advantage of his passing game might be the Bears' gain.
If Morton and Eberflus can fit Swift's dynamic offense into their scheme, this signing will be a win-win for both parties.
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