Ben Johnson has worked with D’Andre Swift before. The new Bears head coach called plays for Swift in Detroit during the 2022 campaign, an uneven one for the talented, elusive runner.

He dealt with some injuries that season, both acute and nagging, that impacted his effectiveness. Swift has put plenty of good on tape, most notably after the Lions traded him to Philadelphia in 2023.

RELATED CONTENT:

• How Jaquan Brisker return, injury history impact Bears plans at safety
• Ben Johnson explains why passing EPA is so important to Bears 2025 NFL season
• Bair Mail: On Tyler Warren, Mykel Williams, Bears NFL draft pass rushers and Dennis Allen
• Ben Johnson has confidence in Braxton Jones, but Bears left tackle spot still uncertain

His first year in Chicago wasn’t his best, though, underperforming relative to the three-year, $24 million contract he signed last offseason.

Johnson has seen Swift’s work firsthand. He has also watched all the film. He sees a player who can produce steadily and make explosive plays. Provided, of course, he makes some adjustments.

Johnson, a coach with a welcome penchant for telling it like it is, mentioned a few of them during a Tuesday morning press availability at the NFL owners meetings.

“I feel really good about having worked with him in the past,” Johnson said. “He had a really good season the year that I called it. We’re going to be defined with what we’re looking for in terms of tracks. We’re going to hold him accountable to that. I think he’s got good vision. We have to keep him on track there.

“The negative plays are one area that we’re going to talk to him about where, ‘hey, let’s limit those a little bit in terms of where we were a year ago.’ Not necessarily look for the home run every time. Have some more dirty plays where we’re getting the twos, the threes, the fours and staying on track on offense.”

The previous coaching staff asked Swift to follow his blocking a bit more and be patient letting it get set up for making a break for the second level. Swift had some big moments for the Bears, but started slow and didn’t finish strong.

Overall, he had a career-high 253 carries and had 959 rushing yards on 3.8 yards per carry, a career low by a significant margin.

Johnson’s presence should help get Swift back on track. So should the addition of guards Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson and center Drew Dalman. More under-center run concepts and good playaction will assist him schematically as well.

None of those facts has slowed talk of the Bears adding a running back in this month’s NFL draft, possibly with the No. 10 overall pick. Johnson’s scheme has worked well with a shifty back and a physical one, but Johns prefers players of any position he considers “offensive weapons.” He’ll take those players over a specific size or style.

Swift will be a major contributor even if the Bears use a premium draft asset on a running back. It’s a bit of a prove-it year, though, with an easy out in his contract next offseason. There’s a belief better’s yet to come, especially with upgrades given to other aspects of the Bears’ run game.  

“I think, with this group, when it (comes) together, there are going to be opportunities to be at his best,” Bears general manager Ryan Poles said. “We saw that when he was in Philly and highly successful. When I go back to the tape I think there are certain things, like getting to the second level, getting on the linebackers and the safeties, is going to allow him to be at his best as well.

“And then I know, with (running backs coach) Eric Bienemy and that room, when you talk about your landmarks and the details and important, small things of that position, I guarantee you that will be on point. Therefore, I believe he’ll have a successful season.”

Submit your questions for next week’s Bair Mail right here!! 👇