LAKE FOREST, Ill. (WGN) — From free agency to the NFL draft, running back was a running headline across the Chicago Bears’ offseason. But with the lone addition being a seventh-round rookie by the start of training camp, it looks like Chicago’s chosen path forward is a redemption arc from last season.
This time last year, the Bears were more bullish on the talent in their backfield than they are now.
D’Andre Swift was signed to a three-year deal, fresh off a Pro Bowl season with the Philadelphia Eagles. The team had just drafted promising rookie Roschon Johnson in the fourth round out of Texas. They were supposed to anchor the offense as transcendent rookie quarterback Caleb Williams got his footing on a playoff team.
Instead, the run game floundered, much like the rest of the team.
D’Andre Swift finished with a career-low 3.8 yards per carry, despite a career-high 253 carries. The Bears finished 28th in yards per carry (4.0) and 25th in team rush yards (1,734).
Fast forward to Wednesday, Ben Johnson said he’s aware of the less-than-positive noise, and it’s something they’re using as fuel for the upcoming season.
“[They’re] a highly motivated group,” Johnson said. “I know the perception out there is that maybe it’s not the most talented room in the world. They like to hear that noise. We’re going to be just fine.”
Pads aren’t on yet, but Johnson was keen to point out some early takeaways from a group that will be under the microscope for the rest of training camp. He said the group is “extremely coachable” and there have been “Improvements on the tracks every single day.”
During offseason OTAs, seventh-round draft pick Kyle Monangai stood out in the eyes of his head coach. With training camp underway, the running back that’s now standing out the most is the one at the top of the totem pole—Swift.
“I think [D’Andre] Swift has done a great job coming back from the summer,” Johnson said. “He’s in great shape.”
The Bears’ head coach said not much has changed with Swift since the two were together in Detroit. He’s still quiet, but “highly motivated on the inside,” and ready to take a jump forward after last season.
“He’s not happy with how last year went for him. Production wise, team wise, everything wise,” Johnson said. “He’s really motivated, he’s really excited to help lead and spur this team forward. I don’t think I see a whole lot of differences from where he’s been, but I see a very hungry individual.”
At least 72 hours into training camp, Swift appears locked in.
At practice on Thursday, Swift made a one-handed catch on a wheel route during throwing drills with Caleb Williams. He also had a route deep down the sideline during 11-on-11 that was overthrown, but he had his man beat in coverage.
“That was kind of a broken play,” Swift said. “I just kind of took it deep. I wish we could had connected on it.”
Swift said he loves the receiving end of playing running back, but it’s a “wait and see” process when it comes to determining how often it will be a factor in Johnson’s offense.
As for last year’s frustrations serving as fuel this offseason, Swift said it wasn’t much of a factor. His mentality and work ethic haven’t changed. He said he’ll continue to work hard like he always does, regardless of “whatever the outside perception is.”
“All we can do is come here every single day and work. Whatever they’re saying is what they’re saying,” Swift said. “Can’t go back and forth with the media. We’re never going to win that battle. [We’re] just excited to put the work in every single day and see what the product looks like when we get going.”