The Chicago Bears have a short-week decision to make with their backfield: How do they preserve D’Andre Swift’s workload without taking the ball out of their lead running back’s hands in the second half?
Locked On Bears host Lorin Cox pointed to a sharp recent split in Swift’s usage. In Week 5 against the Green Bay Packers and Week 6 against the Atlanta Falcons, Cox said Swift logged 20 carries before halftime and only five after it, even while continuing to play passing-down snaps. Chicago has instead turned to running back Roschon Johnson for more late carries.
Bears offensive coordinator Press Taylor said the workload distribution is intended to give Swift breaks over a long season while rewarding Johnson’s contributions. Cox questioned whether that explanation fully accounts for a veteran lead back remaining on the field but seeing fewer handoffs, particularly after Swift produced efficiently earlier in those games.
There is no injury designation for Swift. That matters because the reduced carries had fueled speculation about an undisclosed issue, but the Bears’ latest official practice report did not list him. The same report listed running back Kyle Monangai (thumb and toe) as a nonparticipant, leaving Chicago’s depth thinner behind Swift and Johnson as it prepares for Thursday night’s home game against the New England Patriots.
The Bears do not need to abandon a rotation. Swift has remained involved as a receiver and blocker, and keeping him fresh has value over a 17-game season. But with Monangai still sidelined, the more consequential question is whether the offense will trust Swift with late-game carries, especially in light of his two lost fumbles this season.
Bears News and Notes
– Wide receiver Luther Burden III is coming off an eight-catch, 95-yard performance against Atlanta, but Cox said his snap share still depends heavily on personnel. Two- and three-tight-end packages have favored Rome Odunze and Kalif Raymond over Burden, making Thursday’s game plan a key indicator of how aggressively Chicago intends to feature its productive second-year receiver.
– Bears cornerback Kyler Gordon returned from the physically unable to perform list with three sacks and two forced fumbles against the Falcons, but Cox expects his snaps to remain managed on the short week. Tyrique Stevenson’s expected return gives the defense more options outside, while Gordon’s workload could determine how much the secondary rotates against New England.
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