Who Should I Start? Austin Ekeler or D'Andre Swift

Sunday, January 26, 6:46 PM

Washington Commanders running back Austin Ekeler tallied just 32 all-purpose yards during their loss in the NFC Championship game to the Philadelphia Eagles. Ekeler also lost a fumble. The Commanders were playing from behind throughout most of the contest, putting their rushing attack out of the game plan. However, even when Ekeler was given the ball through the air, he could not perform. He caught five of his seven targets but tallied just 17 yards. His seven targets tied him the second-most on the team, only behind tight end Zach Ertz. Throughout the season, the 29-year-old operated primarily as a change-of-pace option in the Washington backfield. Entering Sunday, Ekeler posted a strong 10.3 yards per catch and a 4.8 yards per carry. Ekeler will likely remain in this role next season as he enters the final year of his contract.

Monday, January 6, 8:30 AM

The Chicago Bears running back D'Andre Swift saw plenty of chances out of the backfield in Week 18's 24-22 victory over the Green Bay Packers. The 25-year-old rusher saw 20 rushing attempts, though he was inefficient with those opportunities as he accumulated only 65 rushing yards. Swift added a rushing touchdown in his game, which helped bolster his production. Swift was targeted twice but was unable to reel in both targets. The former Georgia Bulldog played every game in 2024, a first in his career, and saw at least 10 touches in each game for the Bears. Swift had his least efficient, though most involved, season in his career as he had 253 carries for 959 rushing yards and six rushing touchdowns while hauling in 42 receptions for 386 receiving yards on the year. Swift has a solid opportunity to continue to build on his touches in 2025, depending on who the head coach will be for the Bears.