D’Andre Swift showcases dual-threat ability with 165-yard performance

After starting the season off with just 114 yards through three games, Swift’s total production Sunday more than tripled. He recorded his best performance since Sept. 14, 2023, when he totaled 178 yards for the Eagles in a 34-28 win over the Vikings. While the start to his Bears career didn’t go as he planned, it was only a matter of time before Swift took over a game. During the challenges in the first three weeks, Swift wasn’t afraid to hold himself accountable in the locker room while also keeping a strong belief in his abilities.

“We’re in a business, so it has to be like that every single day,” Swift said. “If you’re not holding up your end of the bargain, you gotta look yourself in the mirror and do that.

“I know who I am. I know what I can bring to this team. When we’re not having success, I took it upon myself to go ahead and find different ways to be better.”

The Bears offense got off to a slow start against Los Angeles, mustering just 97 yards in the first half, but Swift still showcased the dual-threat ability that attracted the Bears to him in free agency this spring.

With under a minute before halftime, Swift strung together three consecutive plays that took the Bears from the Chicago 41 to the Los Angeles 17. On second-and-2, Swift caught a quick pass from Caleb Williams over the middle, evaded two tackles and broke free for 27 yards.

On the ensuing play, Williams spun away from pressure and hit Swift down the right sideline, setting up a 40-yard Cairo Santos field goal that gave the Bears a 10-6 lead at the break.

“You’ve just seen ‘Dre go off today in the run game and pass game,” receiver DJ Moore said. “To get him going is a huge benefit to us. … It opens everybody else up by him being as dynamic as he is in the run and pass game. When he gets out in the pass game — sneaks out the backfield — and he’s wide open by himself, he can go the distance.”

On the Bears’ first third-quarter possession — which resulted in a touchdown pass to Moore — the fellow Philadelphia native totaled 31 yards, which included 11- and 7-yard receptions.

“He can do it all, really,” left tackle Braxton Jones said of Swift. “I don’t think there’s something he can’t do. I just think it’s always nice having a guy like that, being able to build on whatever he’s doing — running the ball really well and then he’s catching it really well and getting YAC off the catches too. I’m just proud of him and we’re going to continue to block hard for him and continue to get the ball to him and make moves.”