The Chicago Bears are acquiring Washington Commanders defensive end Montez Sweat from the Washington Commanders in exchange for a second-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, according to multiple reports.
Sweat, 27, has recorded 6.5 sacks in eight games this season and is one of seven players with at least 5.0 sacks in each of the past five seasons.
By comparison, the Bears have a league-low 10 sacks in 2023.
Sweat has 35.5 sacks in his career and is in the final season of his contract. The Bears have enough salary-cap space to offer Sweat a long-term deal or use the franchise tag.
Part of the motive for the Commanders to make a trade is the cap crunch surrounding their haul of first-round picks invested in the position. Washington signed defensive tackle Jonathan Allen to a four-year, $72 million extension and his interior linemate Daron Payne to a four-year, $90 million contract. Even with Sweat gone, the Commanders traded former No. 2 overall pick Chase Young to the San Francisco 49ers, according to reports.
Sweat has collected 32 tackles and two forced fumbles this season.
He has 197 tackles and nine forced fumbles since being selected by Washington with the 26th overall pick of the 2019 NFL Draft.
–Field Level Media
