LAKE FOREST, Ill. (670 The Score) — Bears pass rusher Montez Sweat isn’t one to make excuses. He wants results, no matter what it takes.
But Sweat has been hobbled by injuries to his toe, elbow, ankle and shin this season, and he has produced just 3.5 sacks in nine games. He’s part of a Bears defense that had aspirations of being one of the best units in the NFL but which currently ranks 13th in the league in yards allowed per game.
And in recent weeks, the Bears (4-6) have been reeling and tumbling down the standings. So, is Sweat feeling frustrated?
“I mean, we’re on, what, a three- or four-game losing streak?" Sweat said Thursday. "I’m pretty (f—ing) frustrated.”
Sweat made an immediate impact for Chicago’s defense after the Bears acquired him at the trade deadline in 2023. His presence helped the entire unit thrive while he personally enjoyed a breakthrough campaign.
Sweat led both the Commanders – who traded him for a second-round pick – and the Bears in sacks last season. So, he’s well aware of what 3.5 sacks represents about his play.
“It gets to me a little bit,” Sweat said. “Us pass rushers, we look at numbers. We know we’re judged upon our numbers. But I know it’s just one bump in the road. We got to keep going.”
In the Bears’ heartbreaking 20-19 loss to the Packers on Sunday, Green Bay quarterback Jordan Love was sacked just once. That's part of why the Packers only encountered a third-down situation on five occasions in the game.
Love was 13-of-17 for 261 yards, one touchdown and one interception. The Bears struggled to generate pressure on him, which was alarming.
Given that Sweat is playing on a $98.5-million contract, his underperformance will naturally draw criticism.
“Whether it’s his production or someone else, he wants to see the team or the group succeed,” Bears defensive line coach Travis Smith said. “It’s not about him individually. Obviously, everybody wants the numbers. But when you talk about frustration, our No. 1 goal is to win – win the game, win our run numbers, win our pass rush, affect the quarterback.
“That’s what our goal is.”
On Wednesday, the Bears didn't list Sweat on their first injury report of the week, though that doesn't mean he's fully healthy by any means.
Sweat began the season by managing a toe injury and playing through that pain. He then had an elbow ailment that was listed on the injury report in late September. By early October, he was working through an ankle injury. In the Bears' loss to the Commanders on Oct. 27, Sweat was sidelined for Washington's last-second game-winning Hail Mary touchdown after he suffered a shin injury.
On Nov. 3, Sweat sat out Chicago's loss at Arizona, which represented his first missed game since 2021. The Bears defense allowed a season-worst 29 points in that setback.
Like the losses, injuries have stacked up on Sweat and made this season difficult.
“It comes with being a football player, knick-knacks and all that type of stuff,” Sweat said. “I’ve definitely been on the injury report this year, more than I’m used to. But it’s no excuse.”
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago’s sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.