A yr after making a transfer so as to add a large receiver forward of the NFL commerce deadline, the Chicago Bears are trying to spice up the go rush, a splashy transfer basic supervisor Ryan Poles needs to be hoping has a long-term payoff.
The Bears have traded a second-round draft decide to the Washington Commanders for defensive finish Montez Sweat, a deal first reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Sweat, who leads the Commanders with 6 1/2 sacks, instantly turns into the perfect edge defender for the Bears, who’re final within the NFL with 10 as a staff. The Bears can negotiate with him on a contract extension or use the franchise tag to safe him earlier than the beginning of free company. They are projected to have round $100 million in salary-cap room, so area to pay Sweat is not going to be a difficulty.
It wouldn’t be stunning if the Bears are already engaged on a brand new contract for Sweat, with the aim of getting him be safe about his future with the group when he arrives.
The query now could be what occurs with cornerback Jaylon Johnson, who obtained permission in a single day to hunt a commerce earlier than the three p.m. commerce deadline. The Bears might recoup draft capital used to accumulate Sweat or doubtlessly maintain Johnson and proceed to debate an extension. One principle is the Bears granted Johnson permission to hunt a commerce so as to gauge what kind of contract he might get from different groups.
The 27-year-old Sweat, a first-round decide from Mississippi State, has been probably the most constant edge rusher for the Commanders for the previous three seasons as a knee harm sidelined Chase Young. Young has bounced again this season however considerations concerning the well being of his proper knee — he tore the ACL and had a ruptured patellar tendon in 2021 — made Sweat the extra sought-after participant as Washington sorted by means of choices to commerce one or each. Questions concerning the stability of Young’s knee most likely made Sweat a extra coveted choice for Poles.
The Bears tried to handle their go rush on the outset of coaching camp by signing veteran Yannick Ngakoue to a $10.5 million, one-year contract. He’s been disappointing up to now and hasn’t had a quarterback hit within the final three video games. Ngakoue is tied with weak-side linebacker T.J. Edwards for the staff lead in sacks with two.
Bears defensive ends have mixed for 13 quarterback hits (DeMarcus Walker has 5) and 5 sacks.
Securing Sweat makes this a extra sound funding than the gamble Poles made this time final yr when he traded a second-round decide to the Pittsburgh Steelers for huge receiver Chase Claypool. The aim was to supply creating quarterback Justin Fields with extra assist with Darnell Mooney, however a knee harm sidelined Claypool and he struggled to suit into the offense.
Claypool completed with 14 catches for 140 yards in seven video games, and regardless of everybody saying all the correct issues concerning the former Notre Dame standout within the offseason, he didn’t match on this season both. Poles finally lower his losses, sending the receiver and a seventh-round decide in 2025 to the Miami Dolphins for a sixth-round decide in 2025.
“You’re always disappointed in this situation, and it’s definitely something I take ownership of,” Poles advised WMVP-AM 1000 after the commerce. “Last year, in the situation we were in, we wanted to add another receiver to the offense, not only to help us be more productive but also to help Justin take the next step. The right thought process was there, and I feel comfortable with that. Unfortunately it didn’t work out and we were hoping for him to be a little bit more productive and be someone that could help us take it to the next level.”
That identical thought course of was in play right here and with Sweat prolonged, the Bears aren’t making as large of of venture. Plus, they’re getting a participant with a larger observe file of success.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com