We shared earlier this week the assessment from ESPN Bears writer Courtney Cronin that RB D'Andre Swift might've delivered the best camp among the team's skill players. Thursday morning brought apparent agreement from HC Ben Johnson.
What They're Saying
Johnson: "It's the best I've seen him this time of year. You look back at a year ago, he was very explosive and yet it takes a little while to jell between him and the offensive line. I think he's accelerating his vision at this point. I think [RBs] Coach [Eric] Studesville's been fantastic for him, just with the reads and being able to know the intent of where we're trying to hit things. ... I think he's primed for a big year."
2026 Fantasy Football Impact
Johnson not only coached Swift with the 2025 Bears. He also served on the Lions' coaching staff for all three of Swift's seasons there, including Johnson's first year as OC (2022). That makes this Johnson's fifth year of seeing Swift in training camp.
His reference to Coach Studesville also stands out, because the RBs coach replaced Eric Bieniemy in that role this offseason. Studesville spent the previous eight years in Miami, coaching RBs under Adam Gase, Brian Flores, and then Mike McDaniel. He has coached NFL RBs since 2001, including stints with the Giants, Bills, and Broncos.
If we're getting an enhanced version of Swift with an improve rushing scheme in an offense that already finished last season ranked ninth in scoring and sixth in total yards, then we could be looking at a fantasy difference maker.
Swift's RB22 ADP and the knee injury affecting Kyle Monangai only add upside to the veteran's case.
He sits 19th among RBs in our PPR rankings.
