Could massive Montez Sweat extension tip Bears' hand at quarterback?

The former No. 26 overall pick of the 2019 NFL Draft was set to be a 2024 free-agent and the Bears' decision to lock him up with a huge contract a day before he plays his first down for the franchise is somewhat surprising. However, considering they traded a 2024 second-rounder for him, the Bears couldn't afford to let him walk in free agency. 

Still, signing him to a contract with an average annual value worth $500,000 less than All-Pro Myles Garrett — and $1 million more than Maxx Crosby — is a huge bet on Sweat being a game-wrecking force. He's tied for eighth in sacks (6.5) through Week 8 and has been credited with 27 total pressures by Pro Football Focus, which ties for 24th. He posted a career-high nine sacks in 2020. 

The front office might have made a bad decision worse by trading a valuable draft pick and then signing Sweat to such a huge contract, but it's also worth considering what the deal says about the team's future at quarterback.

Teams have between Jan. 8 and May 2, 2024, to pick up the fifth-year option on 2021 first-rounders. Chicago selected quarterback Justin Fields 11th overall in 2021, and while he hasn't played since Week 6 due to a right thumb injury, he was having his best season before being sidelined.

He has career-highs in completion percentage (61.7 percent), yards per game (200.2) and passer rating (91.6) but continues to struggle with turnovers; his 3.7 percent interception rate is fourth-highest in the league. The Bears are 6-25 in his 31 starts including 1-5 this season.

Per OverTheCap, Field's projected salary if his fifth-year option is picked up would be $23.25 million.

With Chicago holding its own pick in the 2024 draft and Carolina's, it has a perfect opportunity to select a quarterback such as Caleb Williams or Drake Maye and reset at the sport's most important position with a cost-controlled option, freeing the front office to pump more funds into a defense in need of it.

As good as Sweat has been this season, he's unlikely to single-handedly improve the unit. The Bears rank last in sacks (10) for the second consecutive year and are 28th in scoring defense (27.3 points per game).

They are particularly weak against the pass, ranking 30th (262.3 yards per game). Sweat must be part of the solution on defense, but Chicago probably has to spend on its secondary next.

That would leave even less money for the Bears to allocate to their quarterback. When he returns, Fields might be auditioning for his next team.