Chicago Bears running back D’Andre Swift was named NFC Offensive Player of the Week on Wednesday after powering Chicago’s record-setting 59-37 season-opening win at Carolina.
Swift rushed 18 times for 124 yards and a career-high three touchdowns while catching one pass for 10 yards. He averaged 6.9 yards per carry and scored on a pair of one-yard plunges before breaking a 28-yard run for his third score.
The Bears as a team rushed for 291 yards and six touchdowns, tying a franchise record for rushing scores in a game. Chicago’s 59 points set a team mark for a season opener, topping the 45 scored against Green Bay in 1948, and ranked as the fourth-highest total in Bears history. The 96 combined points also set an NFL record for a Week 1 game.
It marked Swift’s second career Offensive Player of the Week award. He first earned the honor in Week 2 of the 2023 season while playing for the Philadelphia Eagles.
Swift is the first Bears running back to win the weekly award since Jordan Howard in Week 8 of 2016 and the first Chicago player to take it home in Week 1 since Matt Forte in 2010.
The Bears celebrated the news on social media Wednesday, posting that Swift “is starting off HOT” four days before their home opener against the Minnesota Vikings.
ESPN’s Courtney Cronin provided context on the award.
“D’Andre Swift is the NFC offensive player of the week after his career high 3 TDs and 124 rushing yards in the Bears’ win at Carolina,” she wrote. “Second career OPOY award for Swift. His last came during his lone season in Philadelphia.”
The recognition arrives days after Swift signed a three-year, $33.75 million extension that includes $27.5 million guaranteed and keeps him under contract through 2029. The 27-year-old had been heading into the final year of the three-year, $24 million deal he signed with Chicago in 2024.
Head coach Ben Johnson highlighted Swift’s value when the extension was announced.
“D’Andre is vital to everything we do at the Chicago Bears, both on the field and off,” Johnson said. “A fierce competitor and a loyal teammate, D’Andre provides when called upon and does not relent when adversity strikes. As we continue to build our team and prepare for the road ahead, we are proud that Swifty is a Chicago Bear, now and moving forward.”
General manager Ryan Poles offered similar praise.
“We are excited for D’Andre and we are proud that he will remain a member of the Chicago Bears,” Poles said. “Throughout the offseason and training camp, D’Andre’s work ethic, passion and connection with our team and his teammates have never wavered, which can be challenging for a player entering the final year of their contract. D’Andre epitomizes the values of the culture that we are building through his professionalism, consistency and the way the he supports his teammates and everyone around him every single day.”
Swift delivered career highs last season with 1,087 rushing yards and nine rushing touchdowns. He also caught 34 passes for 299 yards and one score, helping the Bears rank third in the NFL in rushing offense after finishing 25th the year before.
Quarterback Caleb Williams described Swift as a “golden star” on the roster.
“He can do everything,” Williams said. “He can catch. He can block. Obviously, he can run downhill. He can run wide zone. He can run tosses and things like that, get the edge. From there, he’s not only getting first downs, he’s trying to take them to the crib. He’s a special player. I’m glad we have him for the next three, four years.”
Johnson sounded unsurprised by the Week 1 outburst.
“He’s had a good week, huh?” he said. “I mean, he earned it, every step of it. We really value what he brings to the table. He’s had a great spring, a great training camp, so I don’t think anyone in our building is surprised that he’s out of the gate in a strong fashion.”
Chicago now hosts the 1-0 Vikings on Sunday at Soldier Field. Minnesota defensive coordinator Brian Flores runs a blitz-heavy scheme that could force the Bears to lean on a consistent ground attack from Swift and Kyle Monangai, who added 100 yards and a 61-yard touchdown on 10 carries in the opener.
Swift said his approach has not changed with the new contract in hand.
“That’s always my mindset,” he said. “I feel like I’m just getting started. Just grateful to be able to keep going with these guys. My mindset wasn’t going to change whether it was something done or not, you know what I mean? I’ve got something to prove every day I wake up.”
