Vikings Rivals Land a Top Free Agent RB
Josh Frey
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While free agency deals won’t become official until Wednesday, players have begun the process of negotiating contracts with teams across the NFL.
One of those players is RB D’Andre Swift, who spent the 2023 season with the Philadelphia Eagles before heading into free agency this offseason. Now, the top free agent RB is set to join a Vikings rival, reportedly agreeing to terms on a deal with the Chicago Bears.
Vikings Rivals Land a Top Free Agent RB
Adam Schefter of ESPN reported the contract by tweeting, “Bears are giving D’Andre Swift a three-year, $24.5 million deal, including $15.3 million guaranteed, per his agent Trevon Smith at Athletes First.”
Swift, a former second-round pick, spent his first three seasons in Detroit before being traded to the Philadelphia Eagles last offseason in exchange for a 2025 fourth-round pick as well as a 2023 seventh-rounder.
With the Eagles this past season, Swift put together 229 carries for 1049 yards and five rushing touchdowns while also adding 39 receptions for 214 yards and another touchdown in the passing game.
Swift now heads to Chicago, which boasted one of the best rushing offenses in the NFL last season, ranking second in total rushing yards (2399), trailing only the Baltimore Ravens. This is an interesting move for the Bears considering they selected Roschon Johnson in the fourth round of the 2023 NFL Draft, and he put together a solid rookie season.
This contract not only adds a talented running back to the Bears’ roster, but it also gives a bit more of an idea of what the Vikings can expect to pay a RB if they pursue one in free agency.
Last year, the Vikings were one of the worst rushing offenses in the NFL, ranking 28th in total carries, 29th in total rushing yards, and they tied for last in rushing TDs with only seven. Three of those rushing touchdowns were contributed by QB Josh Dobbs.
Seeing as the Vikings released Alexander Mattison a couple weeks ago, Minnesota should be in the market to add another running back to play alongside Ty Chandler, who is entering his third season in the league. Top free agents on the market include names like Saquon Barkley, Derrick Henry, Josh Jacobs, and Tony Pollard.
It should be noted that Swift’s three-year, $24 million deal comes in a hair above Brad Spielberger’s projected contract of three years and $22.5 million. This is something to keep in mind as it pertains to the running back market this offseason.
Swift turned 25 years old in January.
Editor’s Note: Statistics for this article were found via Pro Football Focus and Pro Football Reference.
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Josh Frey is a Class of 2020 graduate of The College of Idaho and managing editor of PurplePTSD.com. When he’s not writing about the NFL, Josh enjoys running, gaming, or rooting for the Milwaukee Brewers and Bucks. Check out his Twitter account: @Freyed_Chicken.