Who Should I Start? D'Andre Swift or Kaleb Johnson

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.

Wednesday, April 30, 1:36 PM

The Athletic's Mike DeFabo lists Pittsburgh Steelers rookie third-round running back Kaleb Johnson as a co-starter with Jaylen Warren in an early look at the team's positional battles this offseason. Johnson, who stands at 6-foot-1, 224 pounds, is a physical back that is built to carry the load. It remains to be seen how the Steelers will divvy up the touches in their backfield in 2025, but it's widely believed that Johnson was taken with the 83rd overall pick to essentially replace Najee Harris, who signed with the Los Angeles Chargers in free agency. The 21-year-old had 240 carries for 1,537 yards and 21 touchdowns for Iowa in 2024 and also caught 22 passes for 188 yards and two more TDs. Warren starred in a third-down role for Pittsburgh his first three years and will take valuable touches away from Johnson in his rookie campaign, even if Johnson is the go-to guy on early downs.