The Chicago Bears made some significant upgrades to their defensive line this offseason.
However, if this team wants to reach its goals, the pass rush will once again come down to how much Montez Sweat can impact the game. That is why he comes in at number four on our list of the most important Bears players.
Ranking most important Bears on 2025 roster: Number 4 Montez Sweat
When the Bears traded for Sweat, it was an immediate game-changer. However, Sweat was on a heater of a season, and if you looked at his career numbers, it was clear that 2023 was the outlier year, and not the sign of things to come. Unfortunately for Sweat, he came crashing down to earth in year two with the Bears, posting a career low in sacks.
To be fair to Sweat, the team around him fell apart, and even more than that, teams were treating him like a game-changing defensive weapon. Sweat is going to get similar treatment this year until someone along the front proves that they deserve more attention.
So, Sweat is going to need to make a significant impact. Even getting back to his consistent play of his first few years would be worthwhile for the Bears' hopes in a playoff push.
The reality is that while the team did add some help inside, Dayo Odeyingbo is better against the run and has one year of real pass rush production.
If Sweat were to get injured, or be a non-factor, they do not have enough juice on the outside to make a run. If Sweat can have a strong season, it opens the chances for Odeyingbo to get back to his best as a rusher, and allows the interior to feast on easier matchups.
Read more: Ranking most important Bears on 2025 roster: Number 5 is offensive game changer
The domino effect of Sweat is major and that settles him at number four.