Bears trade 2024 second-round pick to Commanders for edge rusher Montez Sweat

The Chicago Bears and Washington Commanders have completed a trade that will send edge rusher Montez Sweat to Chicago for the Bears’ 2024 second-round pick.

Sweat, 27, is in the final year of his rookie contract and is expected to sign a new long-term deal with the Bears.

Trade: Commanders and Bears have agreed to a trade that is expected to send DE Montez Sweat to the Chicago for a 2024 second-round pick, per sources. Sweat is in the last year of his contract, and the Commanders are opting for a draft pick now. Chicago beefs up its line. pic.twitter.com/Hd7jtqDtWY

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 31, 2023

Sweat is an instant upgrade for a Bears defense that’s totaled only 10 sacks through eight games. Sweat has 6.5 sacks by himself.

Montez Sweat ranks among Bears edge defenders this season:

6.5 sacks (1st)
27 total pressures (1st)
4 QB hits (t-1st)
10.6% pass rush win rate (1st)
76.8 PFF grade (1st)

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— PFF CHI Bears (@PFF_Bears) October 31, 2023

Chicago was rumored to be in pursuit of an edge rusher over the last couple of weeks. Adding Sweat changes the makeup of the defensive line not just for this season, but for the next several years too.

The 2024 draft class is good at EDGE but not great. And the chance of finding a player of Montez Sweat’s caliber in Round 2 is slim to begin with.

The Bears had money to spend and the biggest team need on paper was edge-rusher. I really like that deal for them.

— Matt Miller (@nfldraftscout) October 31, 2023

Keep it locked on Bears Talk for more analysis of this trade and all of the 2023 NFL Trade Deadline news.