There is an excitement that seems to be surrounding the Chicago Bears that they haven’t enjoyed since at least the mid-1980s.
They have a potential franchise and generational talent in rookie quarterback Caleb Williams, the No. 1 pick in April’s draft, and they have supplied him with weapons in wide receivers Keenan Allen, DJ Moore, and rookie Rome Odunze.
One new addition that hasn’t been talked about as much is running back D’Andre Swift, whom the Bears signed as a free agent in March.
A picture posted on Twitter by Harrison Graham showed Williams with his arm around Swift, and the two could make an interesting duo.
Last season, Swift blossomed into a Pro Bowler by running for 1,049 yards and five touchdowns as a member of the Philadelphia Eagles.
He ended up leaving, as the Eagles ultimately signed Saquon Barkley to take his place.
Swift is just 25 years of age, so if he works out for Chicago, he could be a fixture in their offense for quite some time.
There was some promise percolating for Chicago last season, even though Justin Fields, their previous starting quarterback, was a festering disappointment.
They won five of their last eight games, and plenty of analysts saw promise in their defense, especially after they acquired defensive lineman Montez Sweat at midseason.
If the Bears are to make the playoffs this coming season, they will have to contend with an NFC North division that may suddenly become very competitive.
The Green Bay Packers are looking like a rising powerhouse, and the Detroit Lions, who went to the NFC Championship Game in 2023, are unlikely to let up anytime soon.
But for the first time in many years, the Bears have the talent to make a serious run at something significant.
