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Update:
Bears signed pass-rusher Montez Sweat to a 4-year, $98 million contract which includes $72,865,360 guaranteed, according to NFL Insider Ian Rapoport.
New #Bears edge Montez Sweat has agreed to a massive 4-year extension, worth $98,000,000 in new money (24.5m apy). Getting $72,865,360 guaranteed. Deal done by @KlutchSports Damarius Bilbo & Kelton Crenshaw. Total deal is $105m. pic.twitter.com/Gt20vqKqrc
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 4, 2023
Original Story:
The Commanders and the Bears have hammered out a deal, and defensive end Montez Sweat is heading to Chicago in exchange for a 2024 second-round pick, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Sweat was riding out the final stretch of his contract, set to hit free agency at the end of the season, and the 3-5 Commanders decided to snag themselves a draft pick instead.
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Sources: The #Bears and #Commanders are in agreement on a massive trade for star pass-rusher Montez Sweat to land in Chicago in exchange for a 2nd round pick. pic.twitter.com/lyZOSMt3YG
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 31, 2023
Sweat’s been a force this season, notching 6.5 sacks, 10 tackles for loss, and 11 quarterback hits. Meanwhile, the whole Bears defensive ends this year combine for 5 sacks, 11 tackles for loss, and 13 quarterback hits. So, the Windy City is hoping Sweat can bring some much-needed heat to their line.
The Bears have a history of making deadline trades. Last year, they sent a second-round pick to the Steelers for wideout Chase Claypool, and that pick ended up being 32nd overall.
Now, in 2023, they’ve swapped another second-rounder, this time for Montez Sweat. At the moment, that pick stands at 35th overall, but that will very likely to change by the end of the season.
The Bears will be rolling in dough this offseason, projected to have a whopping $110 million in cap space. By trading for Sweat, they are in position to re-sign him.
The Commanders, on the other hand, have already put serious cash into their D-line recently, with extensions for Jonathan Allen (4 years, $72M) and Daron Payne (4 years, $90M).
Plus, they’ve got Chase Young, the former No. 2 overall pick, entering the final year of his contract, which needs to be re-signed. So it makes sense to move Sweat.