Will Montez Sweat break Bears' single-season sack record in 2024?

Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles made a sizable in-season move in 2023 when he acquired defensive end Montez Sweat from the Washington Commanders in exchange for a 2024 second-round pick. Poles then signed Sweat to a four-year, $98 million extension. The Richmond, Kentucky native did not disappoint.

Sweat recorded a team-high 6.0 sacks despite making just nine regular-season appearances. Despite Sweat's efforts, the Bears still ranked 31st in sacks with 30 quarterback takedowns. The Bears would have fielded the worst pass-rushing unit in the league if not for their midseason acquisition.

Sweat totaled 12.5 sacks while splitting time with Washington and Chicago, a mark that ranked 10th in the entire league (though Pro Football Focus credited him with 16.0 sacks). Sweat especially ramped up his production after the trade to Chicago. He totaled 37 pressures in just nine games, recording six pressures once, and seven pressures in three separate contests. The former first-round pick was borderline unblockable.

PFF assigned Sweat a solid pass-rushing grade of 70.6. His 64 pressures ranked 18th in the league among all edge defenders. Furthermore, Sweat averaged 4.1 pressures per game in Chicago versus 3.3 pressures per contest in Washington before the trade. It's safe to assume the former Mississippi State standout quickly acclimated to his new surroundings.

Sweat now has the benefit of enjoying an entire offseason in Chicago. He'll play for first-year defensive coordinator Eric Washington, who routinely helped the Buffalo Bills field elite defenses as Sean McDermott's defensive line coach. Sweat should be a perfect fit in Washington's scheme.

Just imagine if the Bears get sophomore development from interior defensive linemen Zacch Pickens and Gervon Dexter Sr. Sweat will be even more of a handful for opposing offensive linemen if they're dealing with pass-rushing threats from Chicago's other players. Sweat posted major numbers despite easily being the biggest (and arguably only) threat on last year's defensive line.

If Sweat can carry last season's momentum over to this season, he could potentially flirt with the Bears' single-season sack record. It's a lofty projection, as the current record is held by Robert Quinn, who posted 18.5 sacks in 2021. Had Sweat played the entire 2023 campaign in Chicago, his increased production indicates he would have finished with 13-15 sacks. That would have placed him within striking distance of Quinn's record.

A top-five finish is realistic even if Sweat doesn't set Chicago's single-season record. His 12.5 total sacks throughout 2023 would have tied Richard Dent (1987, 1993) and Khalil Mack (2018) for fourth place in franchise history. Dent also places second (17.5 sacks, 1984) and third (17.0, 1985) in Chicago's illustrious defensive history. Sweat's 2024 campaign could rewrite the Bears' record books.

Want an ad-free Bears Talk and access to our exclusive content? Subscribe to Bears Talk Premium today! It costs less than a cup of coffee per month. Bear Down!