D’Andre Swift earns NFC Offensive Player of the Week after Bears’ record-setting opener

D’Andre Swift’s three-touchdown performance in the Chicago Bears’ season opener earned the running back the NFC Offensive Player of the Week award Wednesday. The honor recognizes the game that powered Chicago past Carolina 59-37 and gave the Bears an early marker for the offense they are building.

Swift carried 18 times for 124 yards, averaging 6.9 yards per carry, and added a 10-yard reception. His 28-yard touchdown run finished the scoring parade after he had already scored twice from one yard out. The 124 rushing yards are a career high, and the three rushing touchdowns are his most in one game.

The award also reflects how unusual the Bears’ opener was as a team. Chicago gained 552 total yards, scored 59 points and ran for 291 yards with six rushing touchdowns. Swift and rookie Kyle Monangai each topped 100 rushing yards. The six rushing scores tied the NFL record for a season-opening game, while the 96 combined points set a new mark for an opener.

It is Swift’s second NFC Offensive Player of the Week award. He previously won it with Philadelphia in Week 2 of 2023, when he ran for 175 yards and a touchdown against Minnesota. He is the first Bears running back to receive the award since Jordan Howard in 2016 and the first Chicago player to win it in Week 1 since Matt Forte in 2010.

Swift’s recognition comes two days after he agreed to a three-year contract extension that keeps him with Chicago through 2029. The next test arrives Sunday at Soldier Field against Minnesota. The Vikings will have to account for a backfield that produced explosive runs from Swift and Monangai while Caleb Williams added 65 rushing yards and two touchdowns.