CHICAGO – D’Andre Swift’s season started really slow. Like, 1.8-yards-per-carry-over-three-games slow.

That’s the least productive stretch of his relatively young NFL career, a fact he didn’t ignore, blame others for or excuse because he’s in a new place and operating a new scheme.

While he expressed frustration with disappointing results, Swift kept coming back to one phrase over and again.

It starts with me.

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That’s not necessarily true – rushing is an all-11 proposition – but it establishes a mindset that Swift sets up demanding he look inward for solutions. He did that over the last few weeks. He watched film. He listened to technical coaching and he locked in on individual improvement.

“It’s all through hard work and dedication,” Swift said. “I know who I am. I know what I can bring to this team. If we’re not having success, I take it upon myself to find different ways to be better.”

He found them in Sunday’s 24-18 victory over the Los Angeles Rams, a game where, quite frankly, Swift went off.

He had 93 yards rushing on just 16 carries. He led the Bears with seven receptions for 72 yards. That’s 165 yards of total offense, highlighted by this excellent touchdown run:

He was a huge part of the offense overall, picking up valuable yards as a check-down receiver, an outlet quarterback Caleb Williams hadn’t used much before Sunday. It was a significant, drive-extending factor against the Rams, as Swift was given the space he requires to perform at his best.

“Swift had a really nice game today so I was excited for him,” Bears head coach Matt Eberflus said in his press conference. “He’s been working his tail off. He always stays positive. Again, that’s not just him. That’s the offensive line working the double-teams, make those holes in front of him. And then the perimeter blocking I thought was really good, much improved from the first couple weeks.”

Staying positive might not be the outward takeaway from Swift quotes about frustration levels getting high, but there was optimism and commitment the back end of those quotes.

Swift was both disappointed and driven during tough times.

“We’re in the winning business, so it has to be like that,” Swift said. “We need that mentality every single day. You have to hold up your end of the bargain and look in the mirror and do that.”

Swift didn’t take time after a big day to pat himself on the back or offer an i-told-you-so to those questioning the run game after three rough weeks.

He had a different message this time.

“There are things I can clear up,” Swift said, “because I’m just getting started.”

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