Bears Lock in Swift Through 2029 in $33.75M Deal

Key points

• Swift’s new contract pays approximately $11.2 million per year, ranking him 14th among running backs by average annual value.
• The extension locks Swift in through 2029, aligning his tenure with the remainder of quarterback Caleb Williams’ rookie contract.
• Swift’s 2025 season featured a career-high 1,087 rushing yards and nine touchdowns, helping the Bears rank third in the NFL in rushing yards per game.
• General Manager Ryan Poles prioritized signing Swift before the 2026 season opener to avoid a contract year and secure a key offensive weapon.
• The deal includes a likely cap-friendly out after the 2028 season, allowing the Bears flexibility if Swift’s performance declines as he approaches age 31.

Background

Swift previously signed a three-year, $24 million deal with Chicago in 2024 after a Pro Bowl season with the Philadelphia Eagles. His 2025 performance marked a significant improvement over his 2024 debut in Chicago, where his yards per carry average increased from 3.8 to 4.9. This extension follows a trend of teams locking in key playmakers early in the season, similar to recent extensions for Leonard Williams and Hunter Henry.

How outlets are covering it

While all sources confirm the financial terms, they emphasize different aspects of the deal. Windy City Gridiron highlights Swift’s analytical metrics, noting his third-place ranking in rushing EPA and boom/bust rate, and frames the contract as a strategic fit for Ben Johnson’s outside-zone run scheme. NFL.com focuses on the cap management aspect, noting the $3 million raise in average annual salary and the guarantee structure that provides a potential out after 2028. The Chicago Bears’ official announcement emphasizes Swift’s work ethic and cultural fit, with quotes from Poles and Johnson praising his professionalism. Bleacher Report notes Swift’s potential role expansion as a receiver under new running backs coach Eric Studesville, citing Johnson’s comments on Swift’s accelerating development.

Why it matters

This extension stabilizes the Bears’ running game for the duration of Caleb Williams’ rookie contract, ensuring continuity in the offense. It also reflects the Bears’ confidence in Ben Johnson’s system and Swift’s ability to thrive within it, potentially influencing future draft and free agency decisions for the backfield.

What to watch

Swift is set to debut in the 2026 season opener against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday. The Bears will monitor his performance in the new scheme, while the league will watch how the contract impacts the Bears’ cap flexibility for future moves.