Who Should I Start? D'Andre Swift or Patrick Taylor

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.

Sunday, January 5, 10:09 PM

San Francisco 49ers running back Patrick Taylor Jr. produced well filling in for rookie Isaac Guerendo (knee), who was carted off the field in the first quarter. The former Memphis Tiger took 17 carries for a career-high 109 yards and caught one of four targets for 12 yards through the air. Taylor Jr. looked much better on Sunday than in any other of his limited opportunities in 2024 with physical, one-cut running. The fact that he got any game time at all this year was an improbability in the preseason, as he had four running backs ahead of him on the depth chart before they all went down with injuries at various times. Taylor Jr. finishes the year with 39 carries for 183 yards and one touchdown. He'll be an unrestricted free agent this summer.