(670 The Score) The Bears have made a major addition to their defensive front.
Chicago has agreed to a deal to acquire pass rusher Montez Sweat from the Washington Commanders in exchange for a 2024 second-round pick, multiple outlets reported Tuesday. The Bears’ acquisition of Sweat came hours before the NFL trade deadline at 3 p.m. Tuesday.
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.
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.
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