Should The Eagles Explore An Extension With D’Andre Swift?
The running back market might be cratering but that doesn’t mean high-quality running backs aren’t still valuable. They just need to be signed for a reasonable cost. The ones that get that like Nick Chubb are happy and under contract. There is still a time and place for extending running backs and giving D’Andre Swift an extension before it’s too late makes all the sense in the world.
Swift, 24, was acquired by Philadelphia during the midst of the 2023 NFL Draft for a middle-round pick. I would argue that Swift’s stock is as long as it ever will be. Right now Swift is labeled as injury prone and unproven.
Buy low, sell high. The Eagles have already bought low. Now it’s time to make sure that asset stays in the building for a while.
I don’t know who needs to hear this but Swift is going to explode in 2023 with the Eagles. During the 2020 NFL Draft, Swift was my number-one-rated running back in the class. Yes, ahead of JK Dobbins, Cam Akers, and Jonathan Taylor. I still believe in my heart that’s the case. The truth of the matter is it’s hard to succeed in Detroit. It’s even harder to succeed in Detroit when the team doesn’t want you. Didn’t we all learn that lesson with Matthew Stafford?
The former Georgia product averaged 5.5 yards per carry in 2022 with Detroit and has a ton of tread left on the tires. Through three seasons, Swift has a grand total of 364 carries. What’s going to happen when the training wheels come off and Swift maintains that efficiency behind the best offensive line in football? What’s going to happen when defenses have to focus on Jalen Hurts as a duel threat runner instead of having Jared GOOF as your quarterback? What’s going to happen by inserting Swift on a team that just went to the Super Bowl?
Again, we’re talking about a guy that has all the talent in the world and is entering a perfect situation. Someone that can catch and create yards in space. Swift went to Georgia but is from the Philadelphia area and is probably happy to return home while playing for a legit Super Bowl contender.
Swift has just one year remaining on his rookie contract. We know the guy is going to explode this year. Get a contract done now while you still can. Is there a way to sign Swift now before that happens? It’s something Howie Roseman should be working tirelessly on getting accomplished prior to the start of the season.
