Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson helped facilitate a trade of D’Andre Swift out of Detroit in 2023, ahead of Johnson’s second year in the role of offensive coordinator for the Lions. Over the first two games of this season, it’s clear to see why.
Swift isn’t a bad player. He earned Pro-Bowl honors during his one campaign with the Philadelphia Eagles following the aforementioned trade and then inked a three-year deal worth $24 million in Chicago ahead of the 2024 campaign, though several NFL analysts criticized that contract as an overpay.
Still, under head coach Matt Eberflus, Swift put up 959 rushing yards and six TDs as well as 42 catches for 386 receiving yards. However, he also produced a career-low 3.8 yards per carry.
Things are not going as well this year under Johnson, both in terms of traditional numbers and advanced metrics. Given Chicago’s 0-2 start and the domino effect that the lack of run stability has had on the offense as a whole, particularly with regards to the development of quarterback Caleb Williams, the Bears need to consider adding a new running back sooner than later who can replace Swift.
“Don’t be shocked if the Bears go get someone who’s a more effective runner between the tackles and a sturdier pass blocker before the trade deadline,” Bill Barnwell of ESPN wrote Thursday, September 18. “This offense isn’t going to thrive unless the run game is working.”
One player who fits the bill and should be available based on his usage to this point in the year is Los Angeles Chargers RB Najee Harris.
Najee Harris Relegated to RB2 With Chargers After Team Drafted Omarion Hampton
GettyFormer Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris.
Harris, 27, spent his first four NFL seasons as a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers.
While in Pittsburgh, he tallied four straight years of more than 1,000 yards rushing and amassed 28 TDs on the ground. He added 180 receptions for 1,149 receiving yards and six TDs through the air over that span.
Despite his consistent production, the Steelers declined the $6.8 million fifth-year team option on the former first-round pick in May of 2024, moving on from Harris this offseason in favor of younger, less expensive players in Jaylen Warren and third-round rookie Kaleb Johnson.
A former Michigan Wolverine, Harris joined his old college coach Jim Harbaugh in L.A. on a one-year contract worth $5.25 million. However, Harris suffered a fireworks-related eye injury on July 4, which the team eventually described as “superficial.”
But while the eye may not have sidelined Harris, the Chargers’ decision to draft rookie rusher Omarion Hampton with the No. 22 overall pick has rendered Harris the RB2. He has tallied just 33 rushing yards on nine carries and caught only three passes for 25 yards through two weeks.
It could cost the Bears in the neighborhood of a fifth-round pick to acquire Harris, though that could certainly be worth it if Johnson believes he can be the primary back for the next couple of seasons — or at least part of a tandem including Swift or some other player the Bears might acquire in the near future.
Bears’ Rushing Attack Among Worst in NFL Through 2 Weeks
GettyChicago Bears running back D’Andre Swift.
Swift’s struggles to this point, along with the rest of the Bears’ backfield, could push the price for a player like Harris higher simply because of how badly Chicago needs to upgrade the position.
“Chicago’s run game has been virtually nonexistent through two weeks. D’Andre Swift & Co. are last in the league in EPA per designed run and 30th in success rate, ahead of only the Texans and Cardinals,” Barnwell continued Thursday. “It shouldn’t be a surprise that Swift isn’t a great fit for Johnson’s run game; remember that the Lions traded away Swift during Johnson’s time with the team.”
Barnwell went on to point out Swift’s issues in the pass game.
“Swift has also been overwhelmed in pass protection,” Barnwell added. “He’s a change-of-pace back being forced to serve as the lead back because the Bears paid him as such before the 2024 season, when he signed before Derrick Henry yet received the same average salary.”
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