Bears running backs coach: D'Andre Swift 'can win from any spot'

(670 The Score) When the Bears signed running back D’Andre Swift to a three-year, $24-million deal in March, they added a dynamic weapon to their offense.

Swift, 25, rushed for a career-best 1,049 yards with the Eagles last season while proving himself as a lead running back. Now, the Bears are excited to see what Swift can do in their system, as new running back coach Chad Morton said.

“He's exciting to watch, man,” Morton told reporters at Halas Hall. “That guy, he's got so much ability. He's fast, he can make guys miss and what we're excited about now is just opening up the passing game with the backs. So, he's got that opportunity to have that one-on-one matchup out of the backfield. We can get him out on empty. We do a lot of empty stuff here too. I mean, we can move this guy all around. He can win from any spot.”

The Bears also have Khalil Herbert and Roschon Johnson as options out of their backfield as well as veteran Travis Homer, who primarily served in a special teams role in 2023.

While the expectation is for Swift to lead the backfield in carries, Morton sees each running back being part of the mix.

“It's pretty much everybody's going to compete,” Morton said. “Let the best man win. But we're going to find roles for all these guys. They all bring something special unique to individually. So, if we need a guy to get in there and block and he's the greatest blocker, well guess what? He is going to be in the position. We're just going to utilize all their talents and if you know we can get them all to play, that would be great. We'll see how it goes."

Morton was hired as the Bears' new running backs coach this offseason. He was a fifth-round pick of the Saints in 2000 and played seven NFL seasons. Morton replaced David Walker, who was fired in November for inappropriate conduct.

The Bears began OTAs on Monday at Halas Hall as part of the next phase of their offseason program.