Success over the course of an NFL season is often not linear. Chicago Bears running back D’Andre Swift is a perfect example. Two weeks into the season, he was averaging just two and a half yards per touch. Bears fans en masse wondered why he was the first player general manager Ryan Poles targeted and paid generously in free agency, $24 million with $15.3 guaranteed over three years .

A month later, Swift has become the catalyst for the Bears’ recent offensive surge and three-game winning streak. This season, he recorded nine explosive plays, defined as a run of more than 10 yards or a reception of more than 20 yards. Of those nine drives, the Bears scored a touchdown on seven (they have 16 offensive touchdowns this season), a field goal on another and a punt just once.

Part of Swift’s rise has come from offensive coordinator Shane Waldron’s use of his special skillset, reminiscent of Bryan Mills (Liam Neeson’s character in “Taken”). He is a dynamic player in space. When the blocking in front of him is clearly defined, his explosive speed in the open field makes him a threat who can turn any touch into a home run.

As a runner, Waldron has been making more use of throwing games with Swift lately. The end of the line is sealed with a circumferential receiver or tight end, the lineman must be pulled and a stepping surface must be created up to the edge. This scheme led to big wins against the Panthers and Jaguars.

But the refinement the Bears offense has made in its screen game over the past three games has proven to be the perfect antidote to opposing defenses that have spent too much time around quarterback Caleb Williams in the pocket.

The screen game plays well to both the state of the Bears’ offensive line and Swift’s skills as a pass-catcher in space. Screens are high-percentage throws that give him the opportunity to penetrate defenses, compete with slower linebackers, and test the eye discipline and tackling of defensive backs.

To be effective, synchronicity across the entire offense is required. The offensive line needs to hold on just long enough until they start to build a wall in front of Swift, and Williams needs to be far enough into the pocket that he can lure her in before passing the ball.

Let’s take a look at the film.

Waldron has used movement on screens to give Williams an indicator in pre-snap coverage. When the defense moves with the man in motion, they usually signal the man. This is ideal for screen play because the defenders’ focus is on their coverage responsibilities and not on the play in the backfield. This can lead to bigger wins in on-screen play.

Against the Los Angeles Rams, the Bears broke the huddle in a three-on-one trip left set with tight end Cole Kmet as “Y-ISO” on the right side. Wide receiver Keenan Allen moves to the right and safety Quentin Lake accompanies him and points to Mann. The Rams form a four-man front with inside linebacker Troy Reeder (No. 51) flashing through the A gap.

The Bears window embellishes this screen by running four verticals or “four verts” with the other eligible receivers. This creates space for Swift and allows them to line up as downfield blockers to fend off their defenders.

The offensive line plays a huge role in the success of this game. Center Coleman Shelton and right guard Nate Davis are the lead blockers for Swift. They will momentarily grab their block assignment and bring both players to the floor. The game board unfolds exactly as it was designed on the board.

Defensive end Jared Verse beats left tackle Braxton Jones to the outside, but Williams stays calm and passes the ball over the defender’s hand just in time.

When Swift catches the ball, the only free defender is strong safety Kamren Kinchens, who has “replaced” the lightning-fast Reeder in coverage. As Kinchens continues running downhill at full speed, all Swift has to do is make him miss in the open field to close the gap, which he does en route to a 27-yard gain into Rams territory.

The timing and execution are unparalleled on this screen, leading to a 40-yard Cairo Santos field goal just before halftime, giving the Bears a 10-6 lead in a game they ultimately won 24-16 won.

Against the Carolina Panthers, the Bears offense finds itself near midfield after a sudden fumble thrown by safety Jaquan Brisker that was recovered by Gervon Dexter. With just under three minutes to go in the half, the Bears are up 14-7 and will kick off the second half. Waldron picks a screen for Swift that almost results in a touchdown.

From a two-by-to set, DJ Moore moves in “orbit” behind the backfield. The Panthers are not traveling, suggesting the zone is covered. The window dressing includes Moore on the flats to stretch the defense horizontally and three verts to achieve the vertical stretch.

On this screen to the right, it’s left defenders Teven Jenkins and Shelton who successfully grab and slide to the right to give Swift the way. On the right boundary, Swift has a lot of green grass, a defender to beat and two blockers to line up in front.

Jenkins secures the block and Swift slaloms his way to the two-yard line – to the chagrin of Caleb Williams (see about 4:38) – before punching through two plays later, giving the Bears a 21-7 lead brings the end of the first half.

Finally, against the Jacksonville Jaguars, the Bears turned on a screen inside Jaguars territory on their first drive of the second half. However, this was a new wrinkle from Waldron, where they used a heavier “12” personnel set and a play-action fake to Swift to manipulate the linebackers before throwing him the ball.

Again, the Bears use the pre-snap movement and get a zone coverage indicator. The Jaguars are playing with a Tampa 2 bullet in this game. The Bears show play-action fakes from their “Duo” run program. Duo double teams at the point of attack and is very effective on this screen call.

Guards Matt Pryor and Jenkins help secure blocks from Shelton and right tackle Darnell Wright.

Afterwards, Jenkins and Pryor slip left to show Swift the way.

Swift makes it 19 yards to the Jaguars’ nine yard line. The Bears then found Allen in the end zone and extended their lead to 21-3.

This offseason was a big reset for the Bears’ offense, both for the coaches and the talent. It will take time for the offense to develop its identity and find the right plans for its talent. It will also take time for Waldron to understand when to use them given how the defense attacks them on a weekly basis.

This advancement over the screen game was a blessing for both Williams and Swift. It allows for easier finishes to get going with great game potential.