Looking for a bounce back year in his second season with the Chicago Bears, and reuniting with Ben Johnson, running back D’Andre Swift had a career-best season, setting new highs in multiple categories in 2025.
While much of the conversation this past offseason for the Bears was the idea that they’d add a running back to possibly take over for Swift, the veteran finished 12th in the NFL in rushing yards, totaling 1,087 yards on the ground, a career high, as well as a career-best nine rushing touchdowns.
Advertisement
Swift finished the 2025 season with 10 total touchdowns and 1,386 yards from scrimmage, and he formed one of the league’s best rushing attacks with rookie Kyle Monangai. Having previously worked with Swift during their time together in Detroit, Johnson was not surprised by the veteran running back’s production this season, raving about what he accomplished this year.
“He had a great year for us, and we’re going to need more from him going forward,” Johnson said. “I’m not surprised whatsoever. I think I’ve been championing that cause every step of the way. I felt from the outside a need to or a desire to bring more into the running back room, and I felt like our guys were pretty darn strong. Both him and Monangai have turned into a pretty formidable unit there. He’s playing like he’s capable of playing, and I think he can take it up even another notch, and we’re going to challenge him to do so here going forward.”
After finishing the 2024 season with 959 rushing yards and six touchdowns, there was concern about the long-term future with Swift. But a new offensive line, coaching staff, and backfield mate has made all the difference this season. Behind the production of Swift and Monangai, Chicago finished with the third-best rushing attack in the NFL this season, averaging 144.5 yards per game on the ground.
Follow Bears Wire on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram
This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Ben Johnson not surprised by Bears RB D’Andre Swift’s success in 2025
