The Chicago Bears were the most aggressive team in the league during free agency this year. It is easy to see why, as Chicago had the most cap space in the NFL by a wide margin. They wasted no time upgrading the roster with all of that money.
Linebackers T.J. Edwards and Tremaine Edmunds and offensive lineman Nate Davis were their biggest signings monetarily. Robert Tonyan gives Justin Fields another weapon offensively at tight end along with wide receiver D.J. Moore, who was acquired in a blockbuster trade with the Carolina Panthers.
In that deal, the Bears also acquired four draft picks in exchange for the No. 1 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. That is valuable draft capital as it provides the team with the chance to add elite talent to the roster down the line. It could also provide general manager Ryan Poles with an opportunity to swing another blockbuster trade down the line.
A productive player on a rookie deal is the most valuable asset in the NFL. But, sometimes it is worthwhile acquiring an established player to continue pushing a team forward. The Bears have a ways to go before being contenders, but it is clear by their spending spree this offseason that they want to be more competitive as soon as possible.
If they are willing to pay the price, a prime target for the Bears on the trade market is Montez Sweat of the Washington Commanders. Sweat is entering the fifth season of his career and has been productive throughout his career in the nation’s capital.
In 59 games, the Mississippi State product has 29 sacks, 37 tackles for loss and 74 quarterback hits. This move wouldn’t be an indictment on his performance, it would be more because the Commanders cannot afford to keep him.
Washington has committed big-money contracts to Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne in recent years. With Chase Young also soon to be eligible for an extension, keeping him and Sweat is virtually impossible. With Sweat hitting free agency first, he could be made available via trade.
What could a trade between the Bears and Commanders look like? A suggested offer would be Chicago sending the No. 61 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft and a first-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. A stipulation could be added that the lesser between theirs and the Panthers’ selection would head to the Commanders in the deal.
Chicago is desperate for pass rushers after trading Khalil Mack and Robert Quinn in the 2022 offseason and ahead of the deadline in November. They had only 20 last season, with rookie safety Jaquan Brisker leading the way with 4.0. Sweat has never had fewer than 5.0 in a season and that came in 2021 when he appeared in only 10 games.
For Washington, adding the extra draft capital would be beneficial. The 2024 first-round pick is the real prize. The Commanders have settled on Sam Howell as their starter for the 2023 season. If he struggles, having an extra first-round pick in 2024 will put them in a position to make a move up the board for a quarterback should the need arise. At the very least, they will have two premium picks to upgrade their roster with.
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