On Friday, January 12, Bleacher Report’s Matt Holder listed Green Bay as a possible destination for Philadelphia Eagles running back D’Andre Swift. Swift, a former second-round pick of the Detroit Lions in 2020 (35th overall), is slated to become a free agency in March.
Swift should not expect a hefty contract this spring after proving that the free-agent market is brutal to running backs in today’s NFL last offseason. However, he is coming off a great year in which he rushed for over 1,000 yards for the first time as a pro and was named to his first Pro Bowl.
With nearly 200 receptions and over 1,400 receiving yards in four years, the Georgia graduate can also grab passes out of the backfield, which should help improve his value. He’s a serious offensive weapon when he’s healthy.
The Packers put their hat in the ring for Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor early in the season before he re-signed with his current team. Green Bay was willing to pay significant money to bring Taylor in, indicating that the franchise both values the position and may be willing to part ways with Aaron Jones for the proper player.
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Swift will not cost the same as Taylor ($42 million over three years), because he is not on the same level of talent. Swift, on the other hand, is a three-down back who is more than five years Jones’ junior and is set to hit free agency this spring.
The Eagles running back rushed for 1,049 yards on 229 attempts (4.6 yards per attempt) and scored 5 touchdowns. Swift also had 39 receptions for 214 yards and a score, according to Pro Football Reference.
Swift is in the final year of his four-year, $8.5 million rookie contract, and Spotrac estimates his market value at $5.6 million per year over a new four-year contract.
For the last three years, the Packers have had a solid two-pronged offensive backfield attack, but this summer appears to be the end of the road for one, or possibly both, of those guys.
AJ Dillion will be a free agent in March, while Jones might face a salary budget hit of $17.6 million in 2024, the final year of his present $48 million contract.
Furthermore, Jones was injured for much of the season and will turn 30 late next year, while Dillon set career lows in rushing yards, receptions, and touchdowns (both rushing and total TDs) if his rookie figures in 2020 are ignored.
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