(670 The Score) The Bears have made a major addition to their defensive front.
Chicago acquired edge rusher Montez Sweat from the Washington Commanders in exchange for a 2024 second-round pick, they announced Tuesday. The Bears’ acquisition of Sweat came hours before the NFL trade deadline at 3 p.m. Tuesday.
"Montez is a huge addition to our team,” Bears general manager Ryan Poles said in a statement. “He is not is not only a great player but a great person. We expect him to help elevate our defense.”
Sweat, 27, has 6.5 sacks in eight games this season. A first-round pick of Washington in 2019, Sweat has 35.5 sacks over five NFL seasons. The Bears have just 10 total sacks through eight games as they’ve started 2-6.
Sweat is playing in the fifth and final year of his rookie contract and is set to become an unrestricted free agent after this season. Presumably, the Bears acquired Sweat with the intention of negotiating a contract extension. If the sides don't reach an extension, the Bears could still use the franchise tag on Sweat for 2024.
The Bears' acquisition of Sweat is similar to the deal they reached prior to the trade deadline in 2022, when they acquired receiver Chase Claypool from the Steelers in exchange for a second-round pick. That experiment didn’t work out, as Claypool failed to produce in his tenure in Chicago and expressed frustration with how he was utilized in the offense. The Bears traded him to the Dolphins for little return earlier in October.
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago’s sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.