LAKE FOREST, Ill. (670 The Score) — A year ago at this time, pass rusher Montez Sweat was entering the final year of his rookie contract with the Commanders and eyeing a breakthrough campaign.
As it turned out, Sweat produced the type of statement season he coveted, but much of it came with the Bears rather than the Commanders. He was acquired by Chicago in a trade last October and proved himself as a star as he earned Pro Bowl honors and had 12.5 sacks for the season. The Bears signed Sweat to a four-year, $98.5-million contract extension just days after acquiring him in the trade.
Sweat led both the Bears (6.0 sacks) and Commanders (6.5 sacks) in sacks in 2023. So, what does he have for an encore in 2024?
“Just be better than I was last year,” Sweat said. “Obviously, I set goals for myself and my team, and I plan on achieving them.”
One of Sweat's goals in 2023 was to record double-digit sacks for the first time in his career, an accomplishment he achieved by mid-December. When asked, he declined to share whether there’s a new goal for his sack total this season.
Sweat's addition helped bring out the best in everyone around him on the Bears' defense. Then-rookie defensive tackle Gervon Dexter logged 2.5 sacks in the final five games of the season, including a pair of half-sacks that he shared with Sweat. Linebacker T.J. Edwards had a strong season in part because of Sweat’s impact up front. Cornerback Jaylon Johnson joined Sweat at the Pro Bowl while taking advantage of more pressure being put on the quarterback. Rookie cornerback Tyrique Stevenson had four interceptions, matching Johnson's total.
The Bears allowed 17.3 points per game in nine games after acquiring Sweat and had three or more takeaways on five occasions in that span.
“We added Montez, and I feel like that's when we really took off,” Johnson said.
Just as the Bears discovered their best form defensively after the trade, Sweat himself enjoyed a breakthrough in Chicago. Even so, Sweat rejected the assertion that he was the reason behind the Bears’ improvement on defense.
"It's a credit to the guys I had around me,” Sweat said. “I was maybe not getting so much attention in Washington. When I got here, it seemed like it was all about me, but it was really the guys around me that were doing everything."
Bears general manager Ryan Poles still faces a key decision regarding the team’s roster heading into the 2024 season. He needs to evaluate whether the Bears have the right complement rushing off the edge opposite of Sweat.
In 2024, edge rusher Yannick Ngakoue had four sacks for the Bears and edge rusher DeMarcus Walker had 3.5 sacks. But the Bears are hoping for stronger production from that position.
The Bears are still interested in a reunion with Ngakoue, who remains a free agent. They also signed veteran pass rusher Jacob Martin, though he’s likely a depth piece. There's also hope that rookie defensive end Austin Booker, a fifth-round pick, can become a key figure alongside Sweat in the rotation.
“I'm excited about him,” Sweat said. “He's got the whole makeup, from the frame to the pass rush ability. He's going to be a great player.
“I've just got to be that big brother for him. Be there for him when he has a question, just help him along the way like the vets helped me.”
For the Bears defense to achieve its goal of becoming one of the NFL’s best, Sweat will need to be a relentless force up front once again and a catalyst for his teammates. And for Sweat to build off his breakthrough last season, the Bears must also be stout around him.
“I’m pretty excited on what I’m seeing,” Sweat said.
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago’s sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.