D’Andre Swift emerged as the Chicago Bears‘ standout player during the 2025 season, overcoming a challenging offseason filled with doubts. His career-best performance helped him secure a key role on the team for the time being, but questions remain about his future beyond this year.
According to Thomas Valentine of Pro Football Focus, despite Swift’s impressive output, he might be the leading candidate for release during the upcoming offseason. Valentine highlights Swift’s career-high 1,217 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns, along with an 83.0 PFF grade that ranked him ninth among running backs in 2025. Even with these accomplishments, the Bears could consider moving on to manage their salary cap.
“D’Andre Swift had the best season of his career in 2025. The former Eagles and Lions running back rushed for a career-high 1,217 yards and 10 touchdowns this past season, earning a career-best 83.0 PFF grade that placed ninth among running backs. Despite that, he could still be a cut candidate.
Swift is set to make $7.5 million in 2026, the final year of his contract, but the Bears could save $7.4 million by moving on from him. Chicago’s offensive line is one of the best in the NFL, and it can drop a cheaper option in behind that bunch. Swift would likely get interest on the open market after a strong campaign.”
– Thomas Valentine, Pro Football Focus writer
Running Back Depth and Salary Cap Influence Potential Roster Changes
The notion of parting ways with Swift may seem unlikely after his strong season, but the Bears’ running back lineup has shifted unexpectedly throughout 2025. Rookie Kyle Monangai, picked in the seventh round, has emerged impressively with 783 rushing yards and five touchdowns, creating greater competition in the backfield.
As the Bears enter the offseason about $5 million under the salary cap, they face critical decisions for roster management. Ongoing trade discussions about players such as DJ Moore, Tremaine Edmunds, Tyson Bagent, and Gervon Dexter underscore the team’s efforts to balance talent with financial flexibility. While Swift has not been part of these trade talks, his contract situation could place him in a similar position due to cost considerations.
Draft Strategy and the Challenge of Replacing Swift
If Chicago can identify a reliable backup or long-term replacement through the upcoming draft, moving on from Swift might be a financially sound decision. However, replacing a running back who contributed over 1,200 yards in a single season will not be simple. The Bears’ offensive line strength could support a less expensive running back stepping into Swift’s role, but replicating his production remains a significant challenge.
Swift’s uncertain status illustrates the complex balancing act NFL teams face when managing high-performing players within cap limits amid emerging talent. The Bears’ choices in the offseason and draft will heavily influence their offensive dynamics heading into 2026 and beyond.
