Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson has plans for D’Andre Swift

D’Andre Swift has set big goals for 2022, and Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson has plans to help him reach it.

Lions running backs coach Duce Staley has challenged D’Andre Swift to play through minor injuries and reach a new level in his third season. In response, Swift has set a lofty goal to be in some historic company with 1,000 yards rushing and receiving in the same season.

As captured at times on “Hard Knocks”, Staley has made it his personal mission to pull Swift’s potential out of him. For his part Swift seems to have responded, and Staley loves the lofty goal.

Via Lions Wire:

"Oh, I love it. I love it,” Staley told reporters this week. “When I heard about it, I jumped through the roof. That’s good too, because you sit there and you see a kid like that, the talent that he has, he can definitely be a good one. And to set the goals that high means now he’s challenging himself, which I love.”"

Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson has plans for D’Andre Swift

On Friday, via Tim Twentyman of Lions.com, offensive coordinator Ben Johnson outlined a plan for Swift.

"How many different ways can we get him the ball?,” Johnson said of Swift. “So, we’ll always explore that, and then there’ll be times too we’ll use him as a little bit of eye candy and get the other guys the ball.“But I mean, he’s going to open up the rest of the weapons on this offense because we know anytime he gets the ball in his hands he can make a good play great and score touchdowns.”"

Given how good a receiver he is, using Swift out in the slot or putting him in motion some seem like ideas Johnson is entertaining without a full reveal. Overall, Pro Football Focus’ recent total yardage projection might be a low-water mark. PFF might have built in a missed game or two?

https://twitter.com/PFF/status/1562892571713708032?s=20&t=i74HnAfLsAStjUaG5UJIJg

Swift is shaping up as the biggest x-factor for the Lions’ offense this year. He is the one player who can be considered among the best pure talents in the league at his position, and change how defenses do things. The coaching staff clearly believes in his potential. It’s on him to deliver.