The running back dominoes are falling in NFL free agency.
The Bears made the first major move Monday by agreeing to a three-year contract worth $24 million with $15.3 million guaranteed for ex-Eagle D’Andre Swift, according to ESPN.
The Titans followed suit by agreeing to a similar three-year deal worth $24 million with former Cowboy Tony Pollard to seemingly replace free agent Derrick Henry, according to NFL Network.
Swift and Pollard were both considered to be in the second tier of running backs, and $8 million per season — or a smidge above for Swift — is a strong number for the pair.
That $8 million figure is surely making the top free-agent running backs in Saquon Barkley, Josh Jacobs and Henry happy as they await their paydays in free agency.
Swift, 25, is coming off the best year of his career this past season with the Eagles after being acquired in a trade with the Lions.
The former Georgia product rushed for a career-best 1,049 yards and five touchdowns in a career-high 16 games, while also adding 39 catches for 214 yards and one touchdown.
The Eagles did not use him as a receiver as much as the Lions had — with Swift tallying at least 46 catches in each season in Detroit — and perhaps the Bears will tap into that facet more.
Swift is clearly being paid to be the lead back in a backfield that saw D’Onta Foreman, Khalil Herbert and Roschon Johnson lead the way at different times last season.
With Swift in the fold, that removes one of three “serious” suitors ESPN listed for Barkley, alongside the Chargers and Ravens.
Pollard, 26, heads to Tennessee after a somewhat disappointing first season as Dallas’ lead back.
The Memphis product had wowed as Ezekiel Elliott’s backup, but in his first year as Dallas’ starter, he tallied just 1,005 rushing yards and scored six rushing touchdowns.
He added 55 catches for 311 yards.
While those numbers seem fine in total, Pollard did not meet expectations.
He now joins second-year back Tyjae Spears in Tennessee’s backfield.
Barkley, Jacobs, Henry and Austin Ekeler are the top free-agent running backs left on the board, although there are now two fewer potential homes for them.