Unlike most players, Montez Sweat is not eagerly anticipating a new deal. Just one day after being acquired by the Chicago Bears for a second-round draft pick, Sweat said, “I just want to consider everything around me before I make a decision.” It was an interesting statement about his readiness for an extension that can be seen in two different ways.
On one hand, some might see this as a negotiation tactic by Sweat’s camp. Since Chicago gave up a valuable draft spot for him, they want the relationship to last much longer than the remainder of this season. Especially since the Bears are not in contention. By appearing non-commital, Montez Sweat could pressure the Bears into overpaying to keep him, thus fattening his pockets.
However, Sweat could be completely serious about this sentiment. The Bears have been a messy organization for a while, so maybe he’d prefer to experience the environment before making Chicago his new long-term home. If Sweat is disillusioned with the Bears, he can choose his next team as a free agent following the season.
What Montez Sweat Brings to the Bears
In Montez Sweat, Chicago is getting a guy with 35.5 career sacks since 2019. He’s already up to 6.5 this year and on his way to the first double-digit sack season of his career. Sweat also has nine career forced fumbles. 2022 was the only season when Sweat didn’t force multiple.
Sweat has only missed seven starts in his career and they all came in 2021. So, along with top-tier production, he is also durable. Someone will gladly pay him handsomely to play along their defensive front. Let’s see if Chicago will pony up enough before any other general manager gets a chance to negotiate with him.
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