The NFL legal tampering period kicked off at 12pm ET on Monday, and the Bears wasted no time in agreeing to terms with one of their top targets. Former Lions and Eagles RB D’Andre Swift has agreed to a three-year $24M deal with Chicago.

Let’s examine the immediate implications and fantasy impact of Swift agreeing to terms with the Bears.

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D’Andre Swift Agrees to Deal With Chicago Bears

D’Andre Swift signed a lucrative three-year deal with the Chicago Bears worth $24 million, as first reported by @MikeGarafolo.

The big payday might seem somewhat surprising, but Swift is coming off a very solid season as a rusher versus expectations.

In fantasy, Swift was the was the RB17, averaging 11.2 half-point PPR fantasy points per game, accounting for nearly 70% of the backfield rushing attempts for the Eagles. RB25 in points per game.

Still, on the year, Swift was never fully emphasized as a receiver, being swapped for Kenneth Gainwell at times of third downs and inside two minutes. As a result, he only ran a route on 37% of dropbacks (29th) – although he posted a strong 21% target rate per route run.

Still, once Swift got the RB1 job and stayed healthy after Week 1, he was the Eagle’s primary rusher all season, giving Kenneth Gainwell no chance at getting the job back.

D’Andre Swift signs with the Chicago Bears…

RB17 overall
Fantasy RB1 till Eagles collapse
Career highs in rushing yards and touches
Only 25 years old
Roschon Johnson ?
Khalil Herbert ? pic.twitter.com/eBlYeJ6H53

— Andrew Erickson™ (@AndrewErickson_) March 11, 2024

However, Swift fell victim to the Eagles’ late-season tailspin. After starting the season as a back-end fantasy RB1, he fell to RB30 from Week 11 onward, averaging under 10 fantasy points per game (9.3). He started the year (aside from Week 1 when he barely played) averaging five more points per game (14.3).

There’s no denying that his career statistical year was not overlooked by the Bears.

Swift was healthy the entire season, which allowed him to hit career-highs in offensive snaps, carries, yards (1,083 rushing yards, 5th in the NFL), etc. He proved he could handle a heavy workload – 282 touches – while maintaining high-end efficiency (4.5 yards per carry).

He’s only 25 years old and has plenty of gas left in the tank. Had it not been for the dreaded Eagles “tush push,” Swift could have easily flirted with double-digit TDs instead of settling for just 6 scores (5 rushing).

He will be slotted in as the RB1 for the Bears (in mid-fantasy RB2 territory), with second-year RB Roschon Johnson playing a secondary role. RJ is familiar with the backup role, given his time spent backing up Bijan Robinson in Texas. Given Swift’s injury history, Johnson will be a priority handcuff with a his three-down skill set. Also, it is possible he still maintains a role on third downs or in two-minute drill (similar to Gainwell). But it is likely not enough for standalone fantasy value.

Swift won’t be a touch monster, given the committee approach often seen in Shane Waldron’s offenses. And I wouldn’t be too bullish on Swift seeing massive target share (unless there is nobody behind D.J. Moore), given Waldron’s Seattle offense has been in the bottom-10 in target % to RBs the last three seasons.

Swift will need to be an efficient rusher behind a Bears’ mediocre OL that will no doubt be worse than what he was running behind in Philly.

Still, 2023 Bears RBs were sold as a unit last season. 9 total top-24 finishes and 5 top-12 finishes.

All in all, the landing spot is okay for Swift with him as a starter, but nothing too much beyond that given the total optics. He is the RB17 in 2024 half-PPR rankings.

Khalil Herbert‘s value gets nuked here, so I wouldn’t be surprised to see if he gets traded in the final year of his rookie deal. He is from a previous regime, so the writing is on the wall that he explosive rusher is not long for the Windy City.

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