D'Andre Swift Signs Bears Extension

D'Andre Swift and the Bears agreed to a three-year, $33.75 million extension with $27.5 million guaranteed, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Friday, locking Chicago's lead back through his age-30 season in 2029. Swift was heading into the final year of the three-year, $24 million deal he signed in 2024. The new money raises his average annual value by more than $3 million and takes 2026 off the contract-year clock.

Ryan Poles got it done two days before Chicago opens at Carolina. Fantasy managers who fretted about a lame-duck backfield just got a long-term stamp next to Caleb Williams.

Why Chicago paid now

Swift averaged about 1,365.5 scrimmage yards across his first two Bears seasons and posted career highs in 2025 under Ben Johnson: 1,087 rushing yards, nine rushing touchdowns, 1,386 scrimmage yards, and 10 scrimmage touchdowns. He pairs with bruising Kyle Monangai in a two-back look that already fits Johnson's offense. Paying him before Week 1 keeps the room calm and the cap math cleaner than waiting until next March.

Swift started in Detroit as a 2020 second-round pick, spent 2023 in Philadelphia (1,263 scrimmage yards, six total touchdowns), then landed in Chicago. This is his third NFL contract and still sits inside his prime at 27. Poles treating him like a feature piece instead of a rental is the clearest signal yet that Johnson's run game is not a one-year experiment.

Week 1 at Carolina

The Bears visit the Panthers on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET. Swift was not on the Week 1 injury report after a quiet preseason and a brief early exit from practice last week. Carolina's run defense ranked 20th last season, so Chicago fans will want to see the new deal celebrated with early carries. For DFS, Swift stays a featured back with a clearer leash now that the front office has said he is the guy through 2029.

The structure matters for cap nerds too. Guaranteeing $27.5 million of a $33.75 million extension is a real commitment without blowing up the room around Williams, the offensive line, and Johnson's supporting pieces. Swift's prior Bears deal averaged $8 million. The new AAV sits near $11.25 million in new money, which is market-friendly for a back who just cleared 1,000 rushing yards.

Bears fans wanted the backfield locked. Poles delivered before kickoff. Swift gets paid. Chicago gets certainty. Sunday in Charlotte is the first chance to cash the vibes on the field.