The Chicago Bears are making it clear: They’re not done building around Caleb Williams — and they’re not afraid to swing big. With the NFL Draft on the horizon, the team is reportedly exploring a bold move that would send running back D’Andre Swift and a package of premium draft picks to climb the board for a shot at Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty.
Per reports, the Bears are in discussions to trade their No. 10 overall pick, a third-rounder, and potentially Swift to move into the top five — most likely with the Jacksonville Jaguars — with their sights set squarely on Jeanty. It’s a move that could dramatically reshape the Bears’ offense and signal how aggressively this front office is chasing elite talent.
Jeanty isn’t just another running back. He’s a highlight machine with jaw-dropping stats: 2,601 rushing yards and 29 touchdowns last season alone — numbers that nearly eclipsed Barry Sanders’ historic single-season mark. At 5-foot-9, 210 pounds, Jeanty combines balance, burst, and pass-catching versatility that make him tailor-made for modern NFL offenses.
And more importantly — he’s tailor-made for Ben Johnson’s offense. The Bears’ new head coach, fresh from designing top-5 offenses in Detroit, has a vision that leans on explosive run-game balance and dynamic backfield usage. Jeanty would be more than a complementary piece — he could be the heartbeat of that scheme.
That puts Swift in a complicated spot. Signed just last offseason to a three-year, $24 million deal, Swift was seen as a versatile sparkplug who could thrive in a new system. But after an underwhelming 2024 campaign (3.8 yards per carry), the Bears may already be pivoting — and willing to part ways if it means getting younger, more explosive, and potentially cheaper at the position.
Trading Swift isn’t just about performance — it’s about positioning. The Bears are flush with resources and confidence in Caleb Williams, and it appears GM Ryan Poles is pushing all chips in to accelerate the development of his franchise quarterback. And in today’s NFL, giving a young QB a reliable, game-breaking back like Jeanty could be a difference-maker.
Jeanty’s profile screams versatility — the kind of player who can line up in the slot, split out wide, and punish defenders in open space. He caught 34 passes last season, flashing the kind of dual-threat skill set that would give Williams a trusted checkdown and a matchup nightmare for defenses.
With DJ Moore, Keenan Allen, and rookie Rome Odunze set to stretch the field, a back like Jeanty could thrive in open space. The threat of play-action, screens, and inside zone runs becomes a lot more dangerous when the man in the backfield can go the distance on any touch.
Of course, this type of move isn’t without risk. Jeanty has yet to play a down in the NFL. Trading a proven veteran like Swift and multiple high picks for an unproven commodity is a high-wire act — especially when Chicago is finally positioned to compete in the NFC North.
But Poles and Johnson appear aligned in their vision: fast, physical, and forward-thinking. They aren’t just trying to build around Caleb Williams — they’re trying to elevate him. And in their minds, that means surrounding him with elite talent at every level, even if it comes at the cost of current assets.
The Bears have already upgraded their offensive line and receiving corps. If they land Jeanty, they could enter 2025 with one of the most balanced, dangerous skill groups in football. Swift may be the odd man out — but his exit might just be the price of a future star.
As the draft approaches, Chicago sits on the edge of another bold, identity-shaping move. Whether they pull the trigger or not, one thing is clear: All roads still lead to Caleb — and the Bears are doing everything they can to pave the way.