Montez Sweat earns high honor for immediate impact on Bears locker room
When the Chicago Bears traded for defensive end Montez Sweat at the NFL trade deadline, many were concerned about his long-term commitment with the team. Those doubters continued even after Sweat and the Bears agreed to a 4-year, $98 million extension soon after the trade was officially finalized. In the five weeks since joining the […]
When the Chicago Bears traded for defensive end Montez Sweat at the NFL trade deadline, many were concerned about his long-term commitment with the team.
Those doubters continued even after Sweat and the Bears agreed to a 4-year, $98 million extension soon after the trade was officially finalized.
In the five weeks since joining the team, Sweat's impact has been undeniable on the field and in the locker room and on Sunday he finally received his well earned honor.
For Sunday's game against the Detroit Lions, Sweat was named as the team's honorary captain for the week. The designation seems minor considering it was only a one week honor, but it's definitely a sign for things to come.
Sweat has quickly established himself as a leader in the Bears locker room over the past month and should be considered to be a full-time captain by the time the 2024 season comes around.
The Bears newly acquired defensive end set the tone in a big way in Week 14's win, both on and off the field. He truly has the back of all his new teammates and showed how close the team truly is this season.
On the field, Sweat tied a career-high with four QB hits and had one sack against the Lions. The Bears defense once again forced three takeaways and the pass rush as a whole combined for four sacks.
With his sack against the Lions, Sweat notched his first career double digit sack season, accomplishing a goal he's set for himself since he entered the league in 2019.
The impact Sweat has brought to the Bears defense has been unbelievable in such a short amount of time. According to NFL Research via Ian Rapoport, the Bears defense has allowed 9.1 less points per game and 68.8 less total yards per game since acquiring Sweat.
The Bears ranked last in the league with 10 total sacks in Weeks 1-8. Since Week 9, the Bears have had 11 sacks (3.5 sacks have come from Sweat). He has singlehandedly transformed the Bears defense has proven to be worth the 2nd-round pick and the $98 million investment.
"Here it's like every week it's a new challenge and people want to play for the man beside them," Sweat said after the win. "I like the direction that we're headed in. You finish with a pick and a couple sacks, that's poetry."
Bears general manager Ryan Poles is slowly putting the long-term pieces in place on the Bears roster for the team to find eventual and sustained success. Sweat has certainly been a major addition toward ensuring that outcome arrives sooner than later.
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He’s certainly made an impact
