It’s Time for the Bears to Move on From ‘Underwhelming’ Starter

For the Chicago Bears to want to get out of their losing ways, there has to be an honest look at the roster.

For a team that supposedly “won” the offseason, there are an awful lot of glaring holes that need to be addressed.

But there’s one player in particular who has been given ample opportunities and has failed to deliver: running back D’Andre Swift.

Why the Bears Need to Move on From D’Andre Swift

GettyChicago Bears running back D’Andre Swift #4.

According to Pro Football Focus, Swift has posted an overall grade of just 52.8, ranking 46th out of 47th-qualified running backs. His rushing grade is even worse, sitting at 49.3, dead last among the same group.

For a player who was brought in to be the focal point of Chicago’s ground attack, these numbers are unacceptable.

What makes matters even more concerning is that the Bears’ offensive line has been running back-friendly. Chicago currently ranks first in the NFL in yards before contact per RB run (1.89), with explosive gains of 20+ yards removed from the equation. In other words, the line is doing its job for the backfield.

Yet, Swift has the lowest rushing success rate in the NFL at just 25%, meaning he is failing to keep the offense on schedule even with favorable blocking.

At this point, the Bears need to consider moving on from Swift, at least as their feature back. Whether that means trading him or moving toward a running back by committee approach, depending mostly on Swift isn’t working.

And quite frankly, he’s been underwhelming to say the least.

Great example of why D'andre Swift has never taken that next step

Gets a big explosive run here, but if he manipulates the safety to the left into that gap, then shoots the open gap (where the scheme is designed to go) probably a touchdown pic.twitter.com/UVKSdInup9

— Alex Rollins (@AlexRollinsNFL) September 15, 2025

A Committee Approach Makes the Most Sense

GettyChicago Bears seventh-round pick, rookie running back Kyle Monangai #25.

Swift has always been known as an elusive back who thrives in the open field, but his tendency to bounce runs to the outside and inability to shed tackles is a liability.

The Bears have two other options in their backfield who can help balance things out: seventh-round pick Kyle Monangai and third-year back Roschon Johnson. Both bring a different style of running that could complement one another while taking advantage of the Bears’ RB-friendly offense.

When asked about the lack of run plays called for Monangai, Ben Johnson admits he needs to start using different guys in the backfield.

“I need to call more runs. …I need to call more so that we can get him [Kyle Monangai] in the game a little bit more,” Johnson said. “That’s something [running backs coach Eric Bieniemy] and I have talked about, making sure he has more carries going forward.”

By shifting to a committee approach, the Bears could better maximize their backfield talent. Swift could still have a role as a change-of-pace option, using his agility on designed plays that get him into space, while Monangai and Johnson handle the bulk of the between-the-tackles workload.

Either way, the Bears need to start switching things up. The Swift experiment has run its course, and it’s time for a change.

Vikings Make Unfortunate QB Announcement Before Facing Bengals

In Week 3 of his second NFL season, J.J. McCarthy finds himself in an unfortunately familiar position with the Minnesota Vikings: injured. On Friday, the Vikings made their final decision on the former No. 10 pick ahead of their tilt against the Cincinnati Bengals.

McCarthy missed his rookie season with a torn meniscus that he suffered in the Vikings’ 2024 preseason opener.

Now, after two starts, McCarthy is set to miss at least the next two games, if not more.

J.J. McCarthy Officially Ruled Out For Vikings-Bengals

McCarthy suffered an ankle injury in the Vikings’ Week 2 loss to the Atlanta Falcons, finishing the contest and reporting discomfort in the aftermath. The Vikings did not place him on injured reserve, which means he does not have to miss four games.

That is a potentially good sign about the youngster’s recovery. The Vikings and head coach Kevin O’Connell could take a cautious approach, though, given his history.

He will not play or even suit up on Sunday against the Bengals, though.

McCarthy has thrown for 301 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 3 interceptions on 58.5% completion this season. In his stead, the Vikings are starting former Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz, who was the No. 2 pick in the 2016 draft.

Wentz will have less than one month with the Vikings when he takes his first historic snap as the starter against the Bengals, and he noted the lessons he has learned that could help him.

But McCarthy is not the only absence Minnesota must account for, either.

Vikings Rule Out 2 More Players

In addition to McCarthy, the Vikings also ruled out starting center Ryan Kelly and backup-turned-starting offensive tackle Justin Skule.

Kelly signed a two-year, $18 million contract, joining his former Indianapolis Colts teammate and fellow 2025 free agent Will Fries on a revamped offensive line for the Vikings. His history of concussions has garnered renewed attention amid his latest bout.

Skule has filled in at left tackle for the first two games in place of Christian Darrisaw.

That means the Vikings will be without their starting QB (McCarthy), center (Kelly), and fill-in LT1 (Skule), and they are not exactly out of the woods elsewhere on the roster.

Andrew Van Ginkel, Christian Darrisaw, Harrison Smith Among Question Marks

Fortunately for the Vikings, even with McCarthy out, Darrisaw could make his 2025 debut after missing the first two games recovering from a torn ACL suffered last season. A former first-round pick in the 2021 draft, his return would alleviate concerns about Wentz’s blindside.

He will already have a rookie in Donovan Jackson at left guard and a backup as his batterymate at center. Moreover, the Vikings could be without a pair of defensive starters, too.

Andrew Van Ginkel and Harrison Smith are both questionable for the tilt against the Bengals.

The Bengals, who will be without their starting QB, Joe Burrow, are catching a break. Van Ginkel, who missed the loss to the Falcons, and Smith, who has yet to take the field this season, are Pro Bowlers who will miss the contest.

The Vikings are banged up early, and they must overcome that to keep themselves afloat until they can get healthier and continue with their playoff aspirations.

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