D'Andre Swift sent a message to the Detroit Lions after getting traded to the Philadelphia Eagles
The Detroit Lions' decision to draft Alabama running back Jahmyr Gibbs in the first round after signing running back David Montgomery earlier this offseason made D'Andre Swift expendable.
So the Lions traded Swift to the Philadelphia Eagles for a 2025 fourth-round draft pick (the two teams also swapped seventh-round picks).
It was initially reported by ESPN's Jeremy Fowler that Swift "made it clear" that he wanted out of Detroit after Gibbs was drafted. But that report may not be accurate.
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Swift spoke to reporters in Philadelphia earlier this week and he didn't sound like he holds any bitterness toward the Lions.
In fact, Swift said the trade came as a surprise to him.
"It was a surprise," said Swift of the trade. "There really was no explanation. Everything went through my agent. A lot of different emotions going up and down."
Despite the surprise trade, Swift has nothing but love for the Lions and the fans in Detroit.
"I'm excited to be here, but first and foremost, I thank Detroit for everything," said Swift. "To the city of Detroit, I'll forever have a place in my heart. I love them for the opportunity they gave me to just go out there and live out my dreams."
"I thank the city of Detroit, my teammates, the training staff, everybody in the building from top to bottom, for everything they gave me for the last three years," added Swift.
Whether or not Swift requested to be traded after the Lions drafted Gibbs isn't really relevant -- trading Swift was a no-brainer for the Lions.
The former Georgia Bulldogs standout is set to be a free agent after the 2023 season. With Montgomery and Gibbs likely in front of Swift on the depth chart, it made sense for the Lions to go ahead and trade the 24-year-old running back instead of burying him on the bench and receiving nothing in return next offseason.
At the end of the day, the NFL is a business. And it sounds like Swift completely understands and accepts the Lions' decisions.