27YO Montez Sweat Signs a 4-Year $98 Million Monumental Contract Extension with the Bears

Some analysts are predicting this is a recipe for disaster, while some are lauding the Chicago Bears. The 2-6 Bears were unexpected buyers as the Halloween Deadline drew to a close. Their recent purchase from the Washington Commanders came for an NFL Draft 2024 second-round pick. For many, the move to extend the fifth-year pro’s stay in the Windy City comes as no surprise. A rental like this only makes sense if you think it gets you to the next level of competitiveness. When the Rams traded for Von Miller, it was to get them to the Super Bowl, and the 49ers got Chase Young at the deadline with the same idea in mind.

At 2-6 what’s the best the Bears are hoping for here? A single pass rusher unquestionably makes them better, but the endgame is impossible to intuit. The Lions are 6-2 in the division and it seems Kirk Cousins is done for the year. In the NFC as a whole right now, the bubble is at 4-4.

Montez makes football fans sweat with the size of his deal

Ian Rapoport, an NFL Insider, took to X to announce the extension. “Just a few days after the trade deadline, the #Bears get it done to lock up Montez Sweat long-term, with $24.5M per year — an unreal sum for a player without double digit sacks.” 

Bears GM Ryan Pace had given fans a premonition when he told the media on Wednesday that a new deal wouldn’t take “too long”. Sweat’s salary has now been bumped to $24.5 million pushing him far ahead of Rashan Gary and into fifth among edge rushers, according to Over the Cap. 

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With the new deal, Sweat is now bound to the Bears through 2027. He was a first-round selection by the Commanders and had recorded 35.5 sacks, 9 fumbles, and 47 tackles for loss.

Montez Sweat might upgrade the Bears defense

In the season so far, the Bears have just managed a paltry 10 sacks in 8 games. Compared to that, Sweat has 6.5 sacks single-handedly and is well on his way to breaking his career high of 9. Yannick Ngakoue and T.J. Edwards currently lead the defense with 2 sacks each. Now, with the addition of Sweat to their ranks, they will be looking for an immediate improvement on the defense side of things.

They have an upcoming match against the 4-4 New Orleans Saints. After shelling out so much cash for a Safety, the Bears will be looking forward to reaping the benefits of the long-term engagement. Will their bet pay off as they seek to recover from the 2-6 start to the season? The Bears face off against the Saints on November 5, 12 noon at Merrionette Park, Illinois.

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