In a significant move ahead of the NFL trade deadline, the struggling Chicago Bears have acquired pass rush assistance by striking a deal with the Washington Commanders. The trade involves sending edge rusher Montez Sweat to Chicago in exchange for a second-round pick, as reported by NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport and confirmed by the Bears.
Montez Sweat is set to become a free agent after the current season, and his acquisition addresses a pressing need for the Bears. Chicago has struggled with its pass rush, ranking last in the NFL with only 10 sacks through eight games and a mere 46 pressures. This lack of pressure has tied them with the Las Vegas Raiders for the lowest pressure percentage at 14.4%. Currently, Yannick Ngakoue and linebacker T.J. Edwards lead the team with just two sacks each.
Ryan Poles, the general manager of the Bears, expressed his enthusiasm about adding Montez Sweat to their roster, describing him as not only a great player but also a great person. The expectation is that Sweat will significantly elevate the team's defense.
Montez Sweat's arrival immediately strengthens the Bears' defense. He led the Commanders with 6.5 sacks in the first eight games of the 2023 season and has accumulated 27 total pressures according to PFF. During his tenure in Washington, Sweat, a former first-round pick, has notched an impressive 35.5 sacks.
Meanwhile, the Commanders have invested heavily in their defensive line, previously signing Daron Payne and Jonathan Allen to substantial contracts. In addition to the trade involving Sweat, Washington also dealt Chase Young to the San Francisco 49ers.
For the 3-5 Commanders, receiving second- and third-round picks for players who might leave in free agency is a prudent move.
This trade marks the second consecutive year in which Bears general manager Ryan Poles has traded a second-round pick for a player just before the trade deadline. Last year's acquisition of Chase Claypool did not pan out as expected, and Chicago is hoping for better results this time.
The second-round pick being sent to Washington is currently the 35th overall in the draft. This may appear to be a high price for a player with an expiring contract. Nevertheless, Chicago has sufficient cap space to consider a long-term deal for Sweat. Given the scarcity of pass rushers in Chicago, securing Sweat's services should be a priority. Some Bears fans may question why the team couldn't have pursued Sweat in free agency without giving up a second-round pick. However, by bringing Sweat into the fold now, the Bears gain an advantage in negotiating a multi-year contract. The question remains whether it was worth surrendering a second-round pick for this opportunity.
As the 4 p.m. ET trade deadline approaches, it remains to be seen if Ryan Poles will make any further moves, as cornerback Jaylon Johnson has been given permission to seek a trade.
