Montez Sweat, Darrell Taylor, DeMarcus Walker Suiting Up Sunday
Chicago Bears pass rushers Montez Sweat (toe), Darrell Taylor (foot), and DeMarcus Walker (groin) are active for Sunday's season opener against the Tennessee Titans. All three players had been listed as questionable heading into this week's contest. In the end, they'll all suit up, giving Chicago a major boost on defense as they look to slow down Will Levis and the Titans.
Chicago Bears pass-rusher Montez Sweat (toe) is expected to play in Week 1 despite being listed as questionable, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Sweat had logged two limited practice sessions before participating in a full capacity on Friday. He's coming off a career year in which he logged 57 tackles, 12.5 sacks, and three forced fumbles. His presence will be valuable as the Bears look to slow down Will Levis and the Tennessee Titans' offense in Week 1.
Chicago Bears defensive lineman Montez Sweat (toe) was a full participant in practice on Friday but is still considered questionable to play in the Week 1 regular-season opener this Sunday at Soldier Field against the Tennessee Titans. Sweat was limited in practices on both Wednesday and Thursday. After practicing in full on Friday, it would be a surprise if the 28-year-old pass-rusher was inactive on Sunday, but fantasy managers in IDP leagues will need to have a backup plan in place. If Sweat is active, he should be in starting lineups at the defensive-line position against a new offense being led by second-year quarterback Will Levis, who is entering his first full year as the starter under center. Even if Sweat sits the opener out, Chicago's defense/special teams unit should be considered a top-five unit in fantasy lineups.
Montez Sweat Thriving With Bears After "Toxic" Tenure With Commanders
Chicago Bears defensive end Montez Sweat feels he is in a much better place with his new team than he was during his time with the Washington Commanders. Sweat described his experience in Washington as "toxic" and noted the heavy toll of constant losing, as the Commanders went 28-45-1 during his four-plus seasons there. Since joining the Bears, Sweat has thrived, posting a career-high 12.5 sacks, 57 tackles, three forced fumbles, 25 quarterback hits, and 14 tackles for loss in 17 games in 2023. Chicago rewarded him with a four-year contract extension worth $105 million this offseason, including $72.9 million guaranteed. His presence has been a critical factor in the Bears' improvement, as they went 5-4 after his arrival and held opponents to 20 points or fewer in their final six games. Sweat and the Bears will open the season on September 8 against the Tennessee Titans but return to Washington to face the Commanders on October 27.
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.
