Bears Insider Confirms Persistent Montez Sweat Rumor

He made an immediate impact after the Washington Commanders traded him to the Chicago Bears mid-season in 2023, earning his first Pro Bowl nod and accomplishing the unprecedented feat of leading two teams in sacks in the same year (6.5 with Washington, 6.0 with Chicago).

In nine games for Chicago in 2023, he posted 25 tackles (four for loss), 6.0 sacks, 14 QB hits, three passes defensed and a forced fumble. In 2024, he played in 16 games, finishing with 32 total tackles (nine for loss), 5.5 sacks, 2 PDs and two forced fumbles. He missed the team’s Week 9 game against the Arizona Cardinals due to a shin injury, but Sports Mockery’s Jeff Hughes — aka Da Bears Blog, one of the team’s most reliable insiders — revealed in a July 1 post that Sweat was riddled with injuries all year.

“The Bears had more sacks than the Chiefs, Lions, and Bills LAST year, and they have significantly upgraded their defensive coaching staff and DL talent,” Hughes wrote.

“The most important things to track at camp (to the degree we’ll be shown anything of value) is how Dennis Allen is utilizing his DL personnel. The second most important thing to track will be the health of Montez Sweat. Sweat dealt with a myriad of injuries in 2024 and has had health concerns since entering the league. The 2025 Bears need him at full strength.”

Montez Sweat, Bears Hoping His 2024 Injury Issues Don’t Roll Into 2025

GettyMontez Sweat of the Chicago Bears played through “myriad” injuries in 2024.

 

Sweat’s injury history, while not riddled with long-term issues or setbacks, includes a few notable moments. During the 2021 season with Washington, he sustained a non-displaced jaw fracture Week 8, which forced him to miss five games. Shortly after that, he was placed on the COVID-19 list, delaying his return to action.

In 2023, shortly before being traded to the Bears, he dealt with a minor thumb injury during the preseason, but didn’t miss any games. Last season, Sweat’s name popped up on injury reports for several weeks, but he missed just one game despite dealing with toe, shin and ankle issues all year.

While it speaks to his toughness and resiliency as a player, DBB has a point — the Bears need him at full strength if they want their defense to reach its full potential. Anchored by Sweat and newly signed veteran Dayo Odeyingbo. Sweat remains the unquestioned starter at left defensive end and continues to be the team’s most productive and disruptive presence on the edge.

Bears D-Line Has Undergone Significant Changes Since 2024

Odeyingbo—signed in free agency on a three-year deal—is expected to lock down the right side. Together, he and Sweat should form an imposing edge duo. Behind them, however, the depth becomes far less certain.

Austin Booker, a 2024 fifth-round pick, offers some upside thanks to his length and burst, but he’s still a question mark. Dominique Robinson and second-year player Jamree Kromah are also in the rotation, though neither has proven to be consistently effective at the NFL level. Daniel Hardy and Jereme Robinson round out the group.

The Bears addressed the interior of their defensive line in a big way with the addition of veteran Grady Jarrett and the selection of second-rounder Shemar Turner in the draft. With return of Andrew Billings, Chicago should have a very good interior D-line. If everyone stays healthy — and that will be huge — the group could surprise some people.