The Chicago Bears are the talk of the NFL these days. It has plenty to do with the fact they own two picks in the top 10 of the 2024 NFL Draft and more importantly the first pick. It is obvious that the Bears are going to take Caleb Williams first overall, but owning that ninth pick in the draft allows for plenty of speculation and conversation by analysts and fans. Everyone wants to know how everything shakes out.
Ryan Poles is very strategic with his moves, including trades. He made an awful decision in 2022 to trade a second-round pick for wide receiver Chase Claypool, but the process was there. Poles believes in his process and he made another trade in 2023 that involves yet another second-rounder. This time the move paid off though as he sent a second-round pick to Washington for defensive end Montez Sweat. The Bears signed Sweat to a contract extension and he was dominant for the nine games Chicago had him on the roster.
Sweat recently sat down for an interview with former defensive end Chris Long.
Montez Sweat weighs in on the Chicago Bears offseason moves
Chris Long and Sweat talked about plenty of different topics. One thing that stood out to me was his answer regarding whether he'd prefer a good defensive tackle next to him or a good defensive end opposite of him. Sweat said it was a tough question to answer, but he prefers another strong defensive end on the opposite side of the line, stating that it's more fun. This is interesting, and I wonder if Ryan Poles and Matt Eberflus spoke to Sweat to get his opinion on what he prefers.
Sweat also gave major props to TJ Edwards and said he could not believe Philadelphia let Edwards go. Edwards had a great season for the Bears in 2023. He finished with 155 total tackles (91 solos), eight tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, three interceptions a forced fumble, and two fumble recoveries. He was snubbed from both Pro Bowl and All-Pro voting.
Long asked Sweat about the Justin Fields situation and the "next" quarterback. Sweat had no delay in making it known he believes Caleb Williams will be that next quarterback. His piece of advice to the rookie quarterback is to not try and do everything yourself. He believes the Chicago Bears have a good nucleus of players to lean on.
Some other quick notes from Montez Sweat:
- Chicago Bears have better uniforms than Washington
- Sweat does not like the Commanders as a team name
- Sweat puts ketchup on his hotdog
- Sweat wants the new Bears stadium to be a dome
- Sweat has already bought into the Packers' rivalry and refuses to lose to Green Bay