From Chicago Sun-Times · · 3m
Swift cashes in as Bears bury Panthers 59-37
Two days after signing a $33.75 million extension, D'Andre Swift had the kind of game that makes the check look cheap.
In brief
Two days after signing a $33.75 million extension, D'Andre Swift had the kind of game that makes the check look cheap. Swift's 124 yards and three scores headlined a 59-37 Bears win, but the offense was so deep that Colston Loveland never caught a pass and it barely mattered. Originally reported by Chicago Sun-Times.
Three game balls
After the 59-37 win in Charlotte, Ben Johnson handed out three game balls before the team's "Good, Better, Best" cheer: rookie safety Dillon Thieneman, the offensive line, and D'Andre Swift.
The coach said it best
Johnson's case for giving Swift a ball was short and it covered everything that mattered about his afternoon.
“He had 124 [yards] on the ground, three touchdowns, and a brand new [bleeping] contract.”
Paid on Friday, paid off Sunday
Swift agreed to a three-year, $33.75 million extension two days before the game. He then became the first Bears player since 2016 to run for 100-plus yards and three scores.
Swift says nothing changed
He waved off the idea that the new money had anything to do with the performance, framing it instead as relief about staying put.
“Grateful to be able to keep going with these guys.”
Six rushing touchdowns
Swift ran in half of them. Kyle Monangai added a 61-yarder, and Caleb Williams scrambled in from 29 and nine yards out.
Two short, one long
Swift scored twice from a yard out, then capped the day with a 28-yard run at 3:40 to play. It was the third-highest scoring regular season game in Bears history.
Monangai broke their backs
One play after the defense forced a fourth-and-three incompletion late in the third quarter, Monangai ripped off his long score. He finished with 100 yards on 10 carries.
“What a start.”
Loveland got nothing
The strangest part of a 59-point day: tight end Colston Loveland wasn't targeted until the third quarter, and dropped out of both plays thrown his way without a catch.
Williams took the blame
One of the misses would have been an 11-yard touchdown. Williams threw it too far in front of him on a route he called perfect against perfect coverage.
“You don't get those opportunities too often. Got to hit those.”
The kicking game wobbled
Cairo Santos left two squib kicks short of the landing zone, which handed Carolina the ball at the 40-yard line both times.
Raymond's fast start
Kalif Raymond led all Bears receivers with eight catches for 84 yards. In one game, the 10-year veteran got a third of the way to his entire reception total from last season.
Odds and injuries
Dayo Odeyingbo blocked an extra point with four minutes left. Left tackle Braxton Jones briefly left with a back injury, with Theo Benedet filling in, but he returned.
The takeaway
Swift's 124 yards and three scores headlined a 59-37 Bears win, but the offense was so deep that Colston Loveland never caught a pass and it barely mattered.
