D’Andre Swift entered this season knowing many wanted to replace him as the Chicago Bears’ starting running back. General Manager Ryan Poles and Head Coach Ben Johnson tried to get an RB earlier in the draft, but they couldn’t quite get in position to land one. Offseason rumors linked Chicago to the likes of J.K. Dobbins and Nick Chubb, but it couldn’t close the deal.
Inconsistent early-season performances increased the heat on Swift as the trade deadline approaches. On Monday night, though, he went a long way in quieting his critics with an outstanding performance, helping the Bears exercise demons against the Washington Commanders, 25-24.
The sinking point of Chicago’s 2024 season unquestionably was the Hail Mary debacle that cost the Bears a win against the Commanders. They followed the devastating loss with a 10-game losing streak, which led the players to revolt against Head Coach Matt Eberflus and ultimately led him to lose his job. He failed to build a connection with his players and instill discipline and sound practice habits.
Tyrique Stevenson became the face of Chicago’s horrific loss. He talked trash with Commanders fans rather than focus on the play. It gave Washington the opening it needed to complete the dramatic touchdown, and the Bears never recovered. He had a chance on Monday night to get redemption.
Stevenson wasn’t the only Chicago figure with an opportunity for vindication. Quarterback Caleb Williams would remind people why he was taken number one over Jaden Daniels with a victory. Kicker Jake Moody, filling in for injured Cairo Santos, could bounce back from being cut by the San Francisco 49ers. An excellent Bears debut would likely keep him in Chicago a while longer or garner interest from another team.
Johnson’s transformative culture change showed effect with the Bears’ bounce back from a 0-2 start. They played their best game in years against the Dallas Cowboys to secure Chicago’s first victory and found a way to pull a win out of the jaws of defeat against the Las Vegas Raiders. A win against Washington would create added momentum and elevate the foundational shift.
Swift rushed for 26 yards on the first three drives while making a 12-yard reception. He helped keep drives going and got the Bears in position for Williams to punch into the end zone for a 13-0 lead early in the second quarter.
Chicago wished it had a bigger lead, especially after forcing an interception on the Commanders’ first drive. The Bears settled for field goals on their first two possessions before finally breaking in for a touchdown. Leaving points on the board, though, ensured Washington would stick around and led to another dramatic ending.
Nothing comes easy for Chicago, and it wouldn’t once again against the Commanders. After holding Washington scoreless and forcing two turnovers, the Bears allowed three touchdowns, a field goal, and a field goal opportunity on the next five drives. A 13-point lead vanished into an eight-point deficit in what seemed the blink of an eye.
Daniels caught fire, completing 15 of 19 passes for 142 yards and three touchdowns. He also scrambled for 33 yards, showing off his explosive athletic ability and giving the Commanders what looked like a firm grip of the game.
In 2024, Chicago folded when times got tough. Quitting was its go-to; in 2025, they fight until the end. They did so again on Monday evening.
Williams is putting together a nice stretch of clutch performances that will help change the perception of many. He performed exceptionally well late against the Raiders, helping them pull out a thriller that was clinched on a blocked field goal.
Down eight against Washington and the game threatening to get away, Williams led the Bears on a three-play, 61-yard drive. Swift stole the show, accounting for all 61 yards with a six-yard run and a 55-yard touchdown reception. Terrible Commanders tackling didn’t hurt, but Swift tormented Washington throughout the night, and he punctuated it with a thrilling score to get Chicago back within two.
It’s intriguing how a struggling defense can suddenly come to life when its offense picks it up with a score. After getting gashed for nearly two quarters by Daniels, the Bears’ defensive corps stiffened up. They forced a punt following the Chicago score and then created a fumble on Washington’s next drive.
Williams converted a huge third down and five on the final series, keeping the drive going. He worked with Swift, who ran for 34 yards on five carries and ensured the Commanders would not get the ball back.
The Bears drove the ball down to the Washington 20-yard line and bled the final three minutes off the clock. They forced the Commanders to use all three timeouts and put Moody in a position to win it. Now could he?
Moody, recently cut by San Francisco, was no sure thing. In his career, he struggled to an erratic 75% success rate and made only 33% in his 2025 49ers stint. Desperation led Chicago to look his way; he rewarded them by making four out of five on the evening, including the gripping game winner!
The Bears, for the second consecutive game, won a thrilling comeback 25-24 affair. Against Las Vegas, they clinched the contest on a blocked field goal. This time against Washington, they used a scrap heap kicker to win on a made field goal. The Cardiac Bears, indeed they are!
Chicago has faced the agony and continuous reminders of the Hail Mary fiasco for a year straight. They eradicated those demons in the best way imaginable, winning on the same field and doing so on a game-ending play. They flipped the narrative and strengthened the Johnson culture building.
The 2025 Bears are using disappointing 2024 players and employing them to help win games. Stevenson, by elevating his play, has become a key component of the secondary and is helping Chicago overcome the injury to shutdown corner Jaylen Johnson.
The coaching staff is also finding ways to utilize Swift, who struggled last season. On paper, Washington looked like a stiff test with one of the game’s strongest run defenses. He went off for 175 combined yards and a TD while propelling the Bears’ comeback.
Swift’s excellence against a sound Commanders defense in a high-pressure environment stands well for projections for upcoming games. Chicago faces losing teams over the next four games, all plagued by struggling defenses. He should have excellent matchups to take advantage of.
Many Bears got vindication last night. Beating Washington was a necessity for Chicago to move forward and take the big leap Johnson is prepping them for.
Williams continued his excellent sophomore season by winning his biggest game of his career. Stevenson, with a sound defensive player, illustrated his maturity and growth from last year’s painful mistake. Moody gave himself a chance to rejuvenate his career, whether it be in Chicago or somewhere else. Swift stole the show with his greatest Bears performance and indicated he may be ready to take the offense to the upper level.
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