LAKE FOREST, Ill. — Montez Sweat downplayed the significance of the Chicago Bears’ upcoming match against the Washington Commanders, the team that traded him last October. Yet, he did express that the trade did sting a bit. “Like any player, I felt a bit offended, but it’s part of the business, and I get that,” he mentioned on Thursday. Sweat is set to face his former team for the first time this Sunday during the Bears’ visit to Washington.
The Commanders made the strategic decision to part ways with some key players at the trade deadline last year. They sent Sweat, a former first-round pick, to the Bears in exchange for a second-round draft pick in 2024, while Chase Young was traded to the San Francisco 49ers for a compensatory third-round pick. At the time of the trade, Chicago was struggling with a record of 2-6 and had the worst pass-rushing statistics in the league, accumulating only ten sacks.
Shortly after acquiring him, the Bears secured Sweat with a substantial contract extension worth four years and $105 million, guaranteed with $72,865,360, keeping him under contract until 2027. Sweat’s arrival had an immediate effect on the team. He contributed significantly to their late-season surge, helping them finish the year with a record of 7-9 and making history along the way. He achieved a personal best of 12.5 sacks, becoming the first NFL player to lead two different teams in sacks within the same season; he recorded 6.5 sacks in eight games with Washington and six in nine games with Chicago. This performance earned him his first Pro Bowl selection.
“I made my first Pro Bowl, and I got paid,” Sweat noted. “I’m pleased to be in a place where I’m appreciated and where I feel like I belong.” He emphasized that the support he receives from both teammates and coaches significantly enhances his performance, creating an atmosphere where he feels motivated and valued.
While Sweat has not quite matched last season’s sack totals—accumulating only 2.5 sacks in the first six games of the current season—his presence continues to be felt on the field. His ability to draw attention from opposing teams contributes to the Bears’ defense ranking fifth in the league overall. Chicago’s defense has been effective, tied for third in the league with 13 takeaways, and is known for forcing turnovers.
Chicago entered their bye week with a solid 4-2 record, riding a three-game winning streak after recent victories against the Los Angeles Rams, Carolina Panthers, and Jacksonville Jaguars. This marks the Bears’ best start to a season since their 5-1 record in 2020, ultimately finishing that year at 8-8.
Sweat finds himself in a different, more promising situation compared to his time with Washington, where the team never won more than eight games during his tenure and never had a better than 3-3 record after the first six games. “It’s thrilling,” Sweat commented. “We have a lot of potential ahead of us. We control our own destiny now. It’s definitely exciting to finally be on the winning side.”
As the Bears prepare to face a stronger opponent in Washington (5-2), they anticipate a formidable challenge, whether rookie Jayden Daniels plays through his rib injury or Marcus Mariota takes the reins as the quarterback for the NFC East leaders. The Commanders are among the league’s offensive powerhouses, tied with Baltimore for the top-scoring team, averaging 31.1 points per game.
However, the Bears’ recent victories have come against teams that are not considered at the top level; their opponents hold a combined record of 6-20. Their losses were against competitive teams like Indianapolis (4-3) and Houston (5-2). Sweat observed, “Clearly, they need to solidify their quarterback situation. It might not be the same offense we’ve seen throughout the season. But when a strong defense faces off against a high-powered offense, it’s a significant test, and we’re eager for it.”