A yr after including a large receiver forward of the NFL commerce deadline, the Chicago Bears try to spice up their go rush with a splashy transfer that basic supervisor Ryan Poles have to be hoping has a long-term payoff.
The Bears traded a 2024 second-round draft choose Tuesday to the Washington Commanders for defensive finish Montez Sweat.
Sweat, who leads the Commanders with 6 1/2 sacks, instantly turns into the most effective edge defender for the Bears, who’re final within the NFL with 10 sacks.
“Montez is a huge addition to our team,” Poles mentioned in a press release. “He is not only a great player but a great person. We expect him to help elevate our defense.”
The Bears can negotiate a contract extension with Sweat or use the franchise tag to safe him earlier than free company begins in March. They are projected to have about $100 million in salary-cap room, so house to pay Sweat wouldn’t be a problem.
It wouldn’t be shocking if the Bears already are engaged on a brand new contract for Sweat with the objective of securing his future with the crew when he arrives.
The 27-year-old Sweat, a first-round choose from Mississippi State in 2019, has been the Commanders’ most constant edge rusher for the final three seasons as a knee harm sidelined Chase Young.
Young has bounced again this season, however issues in regards to the stability of his proper knee — he tore the ACL and patellar tendon in 2021 — made Sweat the extra sought-after participant because the Commanders sorted by means of commerce choices. They additionally dealt Young to the San Francisco 49ers for a conditional third-round choose, in accordance with reviews.
The Bears tried to handle their go rush on the outset of coaching camp by signing veteran Yannick Ngakoue to a one-year, $10.5 million contract. He has been disappointing to date 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 crew lead with two sacks.
Bears defensive ends have mixed for 13 quarterback hits, led by DeMarcus Walker’s 5, and 5 sacks in eight video games.
Securing Sweat would make this a extra sound funding than the gamble Poles made presently final yr, when he traded a second-round choose to the Pittsburgh Steelers for huge receiver Chase Claypool. The objective was to offer creating quarterback Justin Fields with extra assist, 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 for the Bears in 2022, and regardless of everybody saying all the fitting issues in regards to the former Notre Dame standout within the offseason, he didn’t match on this season both. Poles ultimately reduce his losses, sending Claypool and a seventh-round choose in 2025 to the Miami Dolphins for a sixth-round choose 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 yr, within the state of affairs we had been in, we wished so as to add one other receiver to the offense, not solely to assist us be extra productive but in addition to assist Justin take the subsequent step. The proper thought course of was there, and I really feel comfy 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 similar thought course of was in play with Sweat, and if the Bears can work out an extension, they wouldn’t be making as massive of a big gamble. Plus they’re getting a participant with a larger observe report of success.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com