Montez Sweat named to first career Pro Bowl
When the Chicago Bears traded for defensive end Montez Sweat prior to the 2023 NFL Trade Deadline, few could have predicted the immediate impact he made on the team's defense. Weeks later, Sweat has officially been named to his first career Pro Bowl. Sweat will be joining fellow defender Jaylon Johnson representing the Bears during […]
When the Chicago Bears traded for defensive end Montez Sweat prior to the 2023 NFL Trade Deadline, few could have predicted the immediate impact he made on the team's defense.
Weeks later, Sweat has officially been named to his first career Pro Bowl. Sweat will be joining fellow defender Jaylon Johnson representing the Bears during the 2023 Pro Bowl.
Both players received the nod for the first time in their careers while helping the unit rank among some of the league's best in 2023.
Since arriving in Chicago, Sweat's impact has truly been special. His presence off the edge has opened things up for the entire unit to play more free and aggressive leading to multiple takeaways as the season progressed.
The Bears currently lead the NFL in interceptions heading into Week 18 and have forced 3+ takeaways in four of their last five games. Despite joining the team in Week 10, Sweat leads the Bears with 6.0 sacks while simultaneously still leading his former team, the Washington Commanders, with 6.5 sacks in 2023.
If that continues after Week 18, Sweat will become the first player in NFL history to lead two different teams in sacks during the same season.
Sweat has put together a career year in 2023 while playing with the two franchises. The Bears find themselves on the opposite side of last year's situation when linebacker Roquan Smith was named a Pro Bowler after being traded from the Bears to the Baltimore Ravens during the season.
The Bears made a huge investment to acquire Sweat after trading 2024 second-round draft pick and then signing him to a massive four-year, $98 million deal that is worth up to $105 million soon after. The investment has clearly paid off as Sweat is now one of the team's top leaders just a few weeks later.
"I would say the Chicago Bears as a whole has benefited by having 'Tez on our football team," Bears head coach Matt Eberflus said on Wednesday. "It creates a pressure player from the front and when you have that you're able to play coverage and vary your coverages. Certainly 'Tez has been wonderful to have and he's helped out the whole organization."
It's a highly deserved recognition that Sweat has long deserved for years since joining the NFL. The Bears have something truly special with Sweat and his impact will continue for years to come.
Jaylon Johnson gets major leg up in contract negotiations with recent NFL news
He’s finally getting his well deserved recognition
