Most people will be watching to see what the Chicago Bears do at quarterback this offseason, but The Athletic's Kevin Fishbain thinks the team also needs to add pass-rush help opposite Montez Sweat. Sweat made the Pro Bowl in 2023 and was an instant impact player for the Bears after they acquired him from the Washington Commanders, as he helped to lift their defense in the second half of the season. However, none of the Bears' other defensive linemen had more than four sacks and they still ranked last in the NFL in sacks per pass. DeMarcus Walker came on strong down the stretch, but Chicago would be better off if he was the team's third-best pass-rusher in 2024, which would keep opposing offenses from double-teaming Sweat.
Montez Sweat Agrees To Four-Year Extension With Bears
New Chicago Bears edge rusher Montez Sweat agreed to a big four-year extension on Saturday that is worth $98,000,000 in new money ($24.5 million annually), which includes $72,865,360 guaranteed. The total deal is worth $105 million. The Bears acquired Sweat from the Washington Commanders at the Oct. 31 trade deadline this week in exchange for a second-round draft pick in 2024. It was a bit of a surprise move from the 2-6 Bears, but they want the 27-year-old's pass-rush help now and for the future. Chicago currently ranks dead-last in the NFL in sacks with just 10 through eight weeks in 2023. In eight games with Washington this year, Sweat had 32 tackles, 6.5 sacks and two forced fumbles. Sweat currently ranks ninth in overall fantasy points among defensive lineman, although the move to the Windy City could hurt his overall IDP appeal moving forward.
Bears "Confident" They Can Sign Montez Sweat To Long-Term Deal
Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles said he's "really confident" that the team can sign recently acquired edge rusher Montez Sweat to a long-term contract extension. The 27-year-old Sweat is currently playing on the final year of his rookie deal in 2023. Sweat is one of six players to record at least five sacks in each of the last five seasons since being taken in the first round in 2019 by the Washington Commanders. He has 6.5 sacks so far this year, 11 QB hits and 10 tackles for loss. The Bears have a league-low 10 sacks through eight weeks, so they're hoping Sweat can improve their pass rush dramatically the rest of the way and beyond 2023. The Bears also remain open to the idea of working out an extension for 24-year-old cornerback Jaylon Johnson.
New Chicago Bears defensive end Montez Sweat is hoping to make his team debut in Week 9 against the New Orleans Saints. Sweat told reporters on Wednesday that he "believes he'll be ready to play Sunday." The 27-year-old comes to Chicago after spending four and a half seasons with the Washington Commanders. But he was dealt to the Bears at Tuesday's Trade Deadline for a second-round pick. Sweat has racked up 6.5 sacks, 32 tackles, and 10 tackles for loss this season, making him an interesting IDP pick up and play this weekend.
The Chicago Bears and Washington Commanders have agreed to a trade on Tuesday that is expected to send defensive end Montez Sweat to the Bears for a 2024 second-round pick, according to sources. Sweat is in the final year of his contract and the Commanders are opting for a draft pick now. Meanwhile, the Bears will beef up their defensive line with Sweat, who already has 6.5 sacks, 32 tackles (21 solo), 10 tackles for loss, 11 QB hits and two forced fumbles in eight games in 2023. The Bears currently rank last in the NFL with just 10 sacks through the first eight weeks of the season, so the 27-year-old Sweat will surely help them in that regard the rest of the year. If Sweat finishes off the year strong in Chicago, it could turn into a lucrative long-term extension to stay in the Windy City.
Washington Commanders defensive end Montez Sweat has a prime matchup in Week 7 against the New York Giants, one of the pass-blocking teams in the league. The Giants are allowing an average of 5.5 sacks per game. The Commanders are averaging 3.2 sacks per game, the eighth-most. Sweat is leading the team with 4.5 sacks on 177 pass rushes. Giants quarterback Daniel Jones, who is extremely sack-prone, is questionable. Jones missed last week, but Tyrod Taylor was still sacked three times. Either quarterback would struggle with the same shaky offensive line in front of them, and Montez Sweat is a strong start this weekend, as is the Commanders DST.
Washington Commanders defensive end Montez Sweat (thumb) exited during the second half of Sunday's game against the Atlanta Falcons. He is officially questionable to return. At the time of his departure, Sweat had logged just one tackle, tying his season-low. Until he can return, Casey Toohill will see more snaps.
Washington Football Team defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio said that defensive end Montez Sweat (jaw), who hasn't played since Oct. 31, could play on Sunday against the Philadelphia Eagles if he clears the COVID-19 protocols. Sweat's 10-day isolation period ends on Saturday. It's unclear how many snaps Sweat would actually play if he's cleared and is active, but his presence would be a huge boost to a Washington defense that has been decimated by COVID-19 this week. The 25-year-old former first-round pick in 2019 has 19 tackles (11 solo), three tackles for loss, 12 QB hits and four sacks in eight games played in 2021. Even if Sweat returns, though, Washington's defense should be avoided in Week 15 fantasy lineups.
Washington Football Team pass-rusher Montez Sweat (jaw), who missed the last four games with a fractured jaw and was expected to return to practice on Wednesday, has tested positive for COVID-19, according to a source. Sweat is now expected to miss the next 10 days (which means he's unvaccinated), which will likely keep him out for the next two games. It's a tough break for Sweat and the Washington defense as they head into divisional games against the Dallas Cowboys this Sunday and the Philadelphia Eagles the following week. The 25-year-old had 19 tackles (11 solo), three tackles for loss, 12 QB hits, two forced fumbles and four sacks in eight games before fracturing his jaw in Week 8 against the Denver Broncos.
The Washington Football Team placed pass-rusher Montez Sweat (jaw) on Injured Reserve on Saturday with a fractured jaw that he suffered in the Week 8 loss to the Denver Broncos. In a corresponding move, the team signed Bunmi Rotimi to the active roster from the practice squad. The 25-year-old is expected to miss anywhere from four to six weeks, so Washington will be without one of their best pass-rushers for the foreseeable future. Before his injury, Sweat had recorded four sacks, 12 QB hits and three tackles for loss on the year. The Washington defense was heralded as the next great up-and-coming defensive unit in the preseason, but they haven't lived up to those expectations and rank tied for 14th in the league with 19 sacks through nine weeks. They are off the fantasy radar for a Week 10 matchup against the Super Bowl champion-defending Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
