Montez Sweat, the newest addition to the Chicago Bears defense, spoke to reporters on Wednesday following his trade from the Washington Commanders. The defensive end expressed uncertainty about his immediate future, including where he would be staying and what number jersey he would wear.
The Bears traded a 2024 second-round draft pick to acquire Sweat, who is currently in the final year of his rookie contract. The team is now focused on signing him to a contract extension to make the trade worth it.
Bears general manager Ryan Poles stated that they are actively working on a deal with Sweat and expressed confidence that they can reach an agreement. If a deal is not reached, franchise and transition tags are also options.
Sweat, a former first-round pick with an impressive 35 1/2 career sacks, emphasized the importance of financial security and the people and teammates around him in deciding where to sign his next contract.
Sweat joins a Bears pass rush that is in desperate need of improvement, as the team currently has the lowest number of sacks in the NFL. The acquisition of Sweat is seen as a proactive move to address this weakness.
Poles acknowledged that the trade for Sweat carries some risk, but he pointed to a previous trade for wide receiver Chase Claypool as a learning experience. He believes Sweat is a more established player who can make an immediate impact.
Sweat had heard rumors about potentially being traded and mentioned the Atlanta Falcons as a team of interest. However, fate had a different plan as he ended up with the Bears. He expressed readiness to meet his new teammates and face the challenge ahead.
When it comes to contract negotiations with the Bears, Sweat did not discuss leverage. Instead, he emphasized considering everything around him before making a decision.
As fans eagerly await updates on Sweat’s contract extension, it is clear that the Bears are committed to improving their defense and building a strong team for the future.
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