Sources: Bears, Swift agree to $33.75M extension

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  Courtney CroninSep 11, 2026, 04:06 PM ET

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  Courtney Cronin joined ESPN in 2017, originally covering the Minnesota Vikings before switching to the Chicago Bears in 2022. Courtney is a frequent panelist on Around the Horn and host of Best Week Ever and GameNight on ESPN Radio. She also co-hosts The Chicago Bears Podcast on ESPN 1000. She previously worked at the San Jose Mercury News as a multimedia sports journalist.

Two days before from their season opener at Carolina, the Chicago Bears have solidified their backfield for the foreseeable future.

Running back D'Andre Swift reached an agreement on a three-year, $33.75 million contract extension that includes $27.5 million guaranteed, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter. He is now under contract through the 2029 season.

This is Swift's second contract with Chicago. He initially signed a three-year, $24 million deal with the Bears as a free agent in 2024 -- one month before the Bears drafted quarterback Caleb Williams -- and was set to enter a contract year in 2026.

Swift put together his best season as a pro in 2025, leading Chicago's ground attack with 1,087 yards and nine touchdowns. He also caught 34 passes for 299 yards and a touchdown. That production topped his previous career highs during his lone season with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2023, for which he earned his only Pro Bowl bid.

The 27-year-old was a standout performer throughout training camp, prompting the conversation of contract extension last week.

"I think he's done a great job. I love his approach to this offseason," general manager Ryan Poles said on Sept. 1."He looks amazing. Second year in the system too. I think the combinations of having (former Bears running backs coach Eric Bieniemy) EB in (current running backs coach Eric) Studesville has been awesome for him. But I love Swifty. I love the way that he's working."

Swift has started 34 of 35 games over the last two seasons, including the playoffs, and finished top-12 in rushing yards last season. He and his backfield partner, Kyle Monangai, built the Bears into the league's No. 3 rushing offense (144.5 yards per game) and helped Chicago generate the second-most explosive plays during the regular season (127).

"I feel good," Swift said last week. "I feel like I had a complete camp. Feel like one of my better camps as far as stacking days, being consistent and things like that."

Swift is the latest to cash in at the running back position after seven others inked new deals this offseason, highlighted by Jahmyr Gibbs, Bijan Robinson and Jonathan Taylor's record-setting deals.

"This is the best I've seen him this time of year and you look back at a year ago," coach Ben Johnson said on Aug. 27. "He was very explosive and yet it takes a little while to jell between him and the offensive line. I think he's accelerating his vision here at this point.

"I think he's doing a really good job right now. I think he's primed for a big year though."