or the second straight week, Chicago Bears running back D’Andre Swift had a fantastic outing on the ground, rushing for 124 yards and a touchdown in a 26-14 win over the New Orleans Saints.
It was the second consecutive game for Swift surpassing over 100 yards rushing, the first time he’s accomplished the feat since joining Chicago prior to last season. Swift was not the only one who was successful on the ground, as the Bears as a team put up a collective 222 rushing yards, including rookie Kyle Monangai who had the best game of his young career.
Serving as a quality backup behind Swift, Monangai ran for 81 yards on 13 carries while also scoring the first touchdown of his career. Both Swift and Monangai averaged over six yards per carry, and head coach Ben Johnson came away very impressed with the entire running game’s performance on Sunday.
The running back sat quietly at his locker, headphones dangling, his eyes fixed on the floor. Two underwhelming performances in a row had put him under fire — from fans, analysts, and even fantasy football owners. But Johnson didn’t approach with anger. He approached with purpose.
“Keep your head up,” one insider overheard Johnson say. “We’ll fix this.”
At Monday’s press conference, the Bears’ head coach expanded on that moment. “Look, it’s easy to criticize when things aren’t clicking,” he said. “But players like D’Andre — they don’t forget how to play football overnight. We’ve just got to get him back into rhythm.”
Johnson’s defense of Swift wasn’t blind loyalty — it was strategic trust. The former Lions and Eagles star has shown glimpses of his old explosiveness, but the numbers tell a harder truth: just 3.1 yards per carry over the last two games and zero touchdowns.
Even so, Johnson made clear that the offensive line shares responsibility. “You can’t pin everything on the back,” he said. “We’ve missed some key blocks, and that shows up in his tape.”
It’s a perspective that resonated with players. Tight end Cole Kmet later told reporters, “Coach always reminds us it’s never one guy’s fault. That’s how we stay together.”
Still, outside Halas Hall, patience is thinning. Talk radio hosts are calling for more carries to go to rookie back Roschon Johnson, who’s been quietly efficient in limited snaps. On social media, debate rages between fans who think Swift’s best days are behind him and those who believe Johnson’s belief will pay off.
Johnson, ever the tactician, seems unfazed. “Pressure comes with expectations,” he said. “And I expect D’Andre to respond.”
For Swift, the next game could be a defining moment — not just for his season, but his standing in a locker room that still believes in him. For Johnson, it’s about walking the fine line between tough love and unwavering trust — the hallmark of every great coach-player bond.
