Windy City Gridiron
For the 17th straight year, we’re bringing you who we believe will be the ten most important Chicago Bears for the upcoming season, and at number 3 is the highest-paid Bear, defensive end Montez Sweat.
After making the Pro Bowl in 2023 after leading both the Washington Commanders and the Chicago Bears in sacks, Montez Sweat had a down year in 2024. Between Washington and Chicago in ‘23, Sweat racked up 12.5 sacks, 25 quarterback hits, 57 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, and three forced fumbles in 17 games. Last year, those numbers fell to 32 tackles, nine TFLs, 5.5 sacks, 12 QB hits, and two forced fumbles in 16 games.
The game he missed (week 9) was due to a shin injury, but nagging injuries likely affected his performance all season. He was asked about it in a May 28 press conference from Halas Hall.
“I mean, I don’t really dwell on it too much. Football is a game of not if you’re going to get hurt but when,” Sweat said. “So you’ve got to deal with those types of things and just move forward. I’m sure that won’t be my last injury, so I’ll just be ready for that when it presents itself again.”
He’s fully recovered and will look to bounce back on Chicago’s upgraded defense. Free agent newcomers Grady Jarrett (DT) and Dayo Odeyingbo (DE) will take some pressure off Sweat, but Dennis Allen’s new defense will also help Sweat shake off last year’s disappointment.
“He’s a very complex individual, he has a lot of fronts, schemes, and things that he can attack the offense with,” Sweat said about his new defensive coordinator. “Yeah, he’s a great guy, smart.”
Sweat’s 5.5 sacks led the team, but it tied for 60th in the NFL last season, and that’s not good enough. Especially considering he’s being paid like a top-five defensive end with a $25 million cap hit for three more years.
