Edge rusher Montez Sweat will join the Bears in exchange for a second-round selection, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport said on Tuesday, citing sources. The Bears announced the transaction.
Bears needed a stronger pass rush. Last in the NFL with 10 sacks, Chicago has 46 pressures in eight games, tied with the Las Vegas Raiders for the lowest pressure percentage (14.4). Yannick Ngakoue and T.J. Edwards share two sacks for the team lead.
The Commanders have made substantial investments in their defensive line, signing lucrative contracts with players like Daron Payne and Jonathan Allen. In addition, they traded Chase Young to the San Francisco 49ers, as reported by Rapoport on Tuesday.
Acquiring second- and third-round draft picks for players who could potentially depart in free agency is a prudent move for the 3-5 Commanders.
Bears general manager Ryan Poles has made a significant move at the trade deadline for the second consecutive year. Last year's acquisition of Chase Claypool didn't pan out as expected, and Chicago is undoubtedly hoping for better results with this latest trade.
The Washington choice is 35th overall. This is a high fee for an expiring contract player. The Windy City lacks pass rush, so Poles should prioritize signing Sweat long-term. Chicago has lots of cap room. Bears supporters will question why they couldn't sign Sweat in free agency without giving up a second-round selection.
Obtaining Montez Sweat ahead of other potential suitors gives the Bears an advantage in negotiating a multi-year contract with him. However, the question remains whether giving up a second-round pick for his services was a worthwhile move. Only time will tell if this trade ultimately proves to be a good or bad decision for the Chicago Bears.
It appears that the Chicago Bears may not be done with their trade activity before the 4 p.m. ET deadline, as they've allowed cornerback Jaylon Johnson to explore potential trade opportunities. This suggests that there could be more player movement on the horizon for the Bears.