'He's locked in like I've never seen him before' – Bears star edge rusher Montez Sweat could be in for a bounce back season under Dennis Allen
When the Chicago Bears hired defensive coordinator Dennis Allen, a lot of excitement started building for what this defense is going to look like in 2025.We've already gotten some clues throughout the offseason including how cornerback Jaylon Johnson will get the opportunity to shade top wide receivers, cornerback Kyler Gordon will be used all over […]
When the Chicago Bears hired defensive coordinator Dennis Allen, a lot of excitement started building for what this defense is going to look like in 2025.
We've already gotten some clues throughout the offseason including how cornerback Jaylon Johnson will get the opportunity to shade top wide receivers, cornerback Kyler Gordon will be used all over the defense as a joker-type player, and the defensive front will be implementing a lot of versatility in the rotation.
The one player we really haven't heard much about this offseason as been the team's highest-paid player in defensive end Montez Sweat.
That changed on Thursday when general manager Ryan Poles offered some encouraging words about what he's seen from Sweat since the season ended.
"I don't think there is anyone in this building working as hard as Montez Sweat right now," Poles said on ESPN 1000's Kap & J-Hood. "He's pushing weight, he's getting strong, he's getting in shape. He's locked in like I've never seen him before."
Montez Sweat might be in for a bounce back year in 2025
When the Bears traded for Sweat, and soon after extended him, in the middle of the 2023 season, the move immediately paid off. Sweat ended his 2023 season with a career-high 12.5 sacks including 6.0 sacks in nine games with the Bears.
He was the impact player the unit was looking for to rush the passer, but in 2024 Sweat took a step back totaling just 5.5 sacks in 16 games while facing the bulk of the attention on double-teams and chips.
Given the new additions to the defensive front in Dayo Odeyingbo, Grady Jarrett, and rookie Shemar Turner along with Gervon Dexter, Dennis Allen is going to get creative mixing his D-Line around. Having those guys on the defensive front confusing opposing offenses will help open things up more for Sweat and allow him to return to his productive self.
Over the last three seasons, Dennis Allen's defense had 13 different occurrences of a player reaching 4.0+ sacks in a season, which means everyone is going to eat in this scheme, Sweat included.
Getting him back on track and playing at a dominant level would be a huge thing for this defense, but it starts by having the other pass rushers wrecking consistent havoc beside him to help open things up.
If there's anyone who can achieve such an attacking style defense and get the most out of his entire defensive front, it's going to be Dennis Allen.
