Montez Sweat has been a complete game-changer for the Chicago Bears. Not only has he produced six sacks with the Bears since being traded, he has also been a force multiplier who has made the pass rush around him better. What has been even more impressive is the talent he has gone up against.
Chicago Bears may not have seen the best of Montez Sweat yet
Sweat has played seven games and has faced names such as Penei Sewell twice, Ryan Ramcyzk, Taylor Moton, Brian O’Neill, and Paris Johnson. Those are six tough matchups. Against the Cleveland Browns, he was able to face his easiest matchup of the season and he dominated James Hudson on his way to 2.5 sacks, the best game of his year on paper. Even better? He gets Taylor Heinecke at quarterback. Heinecke has a 5.8% sack rate this year, whereas Joe Flacco is getting the ball out and has a 3.8% sack rate. The sacks are possible this week.
So, it would make sense that if he had another easy matchup, he could dominate. That may come with the Atlanta Falcons. The Falcons typically have Kaleb McGary at right tackle. He is practicing, and he is hoping to play this weekend, but that is not a sure thing by a long shot.
That would leave Storm Norton to start for the fourth straight game. He has not been a complete disaster, and it has not helped that other pieces around him are shuffling at the same time. Still, when you list off the names that Sweat has faced this season, you have to lump Norton with Hudson before you put him with the other six proven tackles.
Montez Sweat has already had such a great run, but it may continue with an exclamation point in week 17.