REPORT: Bears’ $24 Million Pro Bowl New Player Right or Wrong Pick?
The Chicago Bears invested heavily in revamping their offense this offseason, but whether those investments were wise is up for debate.
On August 29, Ryan Fowler of Bleacher Report published a list of the most overpaid NFL players at each position, highlighting the $24 million contract the Bears awarded Pro Bowl running back over three years as the worst deal of its kind in the league.
“While he had a strong 2023 season with the Philadelphia Eagles, he’s never completed a full 17-game NFL season, and his success last fall was largely due to playing behind one of the best offensive lines in football,” Fowler wrote. “Swift will be the lead back in Chicago, but it’s uncertain if he can replicate that success behind a less formidable offensive line.”
Another consideration is that both Roschon Johnson and Khalil Herbert remain on the depth chart, playing on cost-effective rookie contracts. Fowler pointed out that the two combined for nearly 1,000 rushing yards in 2023.
As a result, paying Swift $8 million annually not only comes with financial risk but also potentially limits the opportunities for Johnson and Herbert, who are close in age to Swift (Herbert is one year older, while Johnson is two years younger) and are on more team-friendly deals.
Produced Career Year as Rusher With Eagles in 2023
On the other hand, D’Andre Swift is just 25 years old and is coming off a career year. In 2023, he carried the ball a career-high 229 times for 1,049 yards and scored five rushing touchdowns, tying the second-highest mark of his four-year NFL career. Swift maintained a solid average of 4.6 yards per carry, though he posted career-lows as a receiving back with 39 receptions for 214 yards and one touchdown, according to Pro Football Reference.
Swift’s performance in 2023 earned him his first Pro Bowl selection, and his numbers indicate that he is still on an upward trajectory as a player. Additionally, the Bears’ offensive line is expected to be better this season compared to last, with another year of development for tackles Braxton Jones and Darnell Wright, along with a potential upgrade at center from Lucas Patrick to either Coleman Shelton or Ryan Bates.
Given these factors, Swift’s age and recent success might justify the Bears’ investment, especially if their offensive line improvements allow him to maintain or even exceed his production from last season.
Bears’ Revamped Passing Game Could Cut Into Value
However, Chicago’s offensive line, even if everything goes right and everyone remains healthy, is unlikely to be among the league’s elite. Furthermore, with rookie quarterback Caleb Williams and the array of pass-catchers the Bears have assembled, the team’s offensive focus might lean more towards the passing game.
This could allow Swift to regain some of his receiving production from his time with the Detroit Lions, where he caught 156 passes for 1,198 yards and 7 touchdowns. However, this shift in focus would likely reduce his rushing output simply due to fewer carries.
Additionally, if either Roschon Johnson, Khalil Herbert, or both perform consistently, they could further cut into Swift’s overall production, making his $24 million contract less justifiable. This scenario could diminish the value of Swift’s deal, especially considering the more team-friendly contracts of the other running backs.
