The Chicago Bears are almost certainly not going to make a postseason run this year, but that does not mean they are holding a fire sale at the trade deadline.
On Tuesday, the Bears acquired Montez Sweat in a trade with the Washington Commanders, according to multiple reports. Washington will receive a 2024 second-round pick in the deal.
Washington was said to be shopping Sweat and one other star defensive player prior to Tuesday’s deadline.
Sweat, a first-round pick in 2019, has 32 tackles, 6.5 sacks and two forced fumbles through eight games this season. He is on pace for career highs almost across the board. The former Mississippi State star had eight sacks last year and averaged 7.25 across his first four NFL seasons.
The Bears are 2-6 and expected to rebuild, but they view the 27-year-old Sweat as part of that plan. Sweat is in the final year of his rookie contract, so Chicago will likely use some of its projected $100 million plus in salary cap space for 2024 to sign Sweat to an extension.
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