Frequently Asked Questions
What happens to the Bears defense if Montez Sweat gets injured?
The Bears defense could face the same issues that plagued them in the first half of 2023 when their pass rush was terrible. There isn't a reliable pass rusher on the roster who can produce like Sweat did with 6 sacks in 8 games after the trade, and opposing teams could focus their blocking schemes entirely on neutralizing him.
How many sacks did the Bears defensive line have before trading for Montez Sweat?
Through Week 8 of the 2023 season, the Bears' defensive linemen had only registered six and a half sacks total. This was considered one of the worst pass rushes in the league before Sweat's arrival from Washington.
Why didn't the Bears sign any free agent pass rushers this offseason?
Despite multiple proven pass rushers being available in free agency, including Danielle Hunter, Bryce Huff, and Jonathan Greenard who all had double-digit sacks in 2023, Ryan Poles failed to sign any of them. The article doesn't specify why Poles chose not to address this glaring need.
Could the Bears re-sign Yannick Ngakoue to help their pass rush?
Yes, Ngakoue is still available as a free agent and would be an ideal fit since he was their top pass rusher before Sweat arrived. He recorded 3 sacks in 5 games after the Sweat trade before suffering a season-ending leg injury in Week 14, and has seven seasons of 8+ sacks in his career.
Which defensive ends could the Bears draft in the first round?
If the Bears use their second first-round pick on defense, they should be able to land one of the top three defensive end prospects: Dallas Turner, Jared Verse, or Laiatu Latu. Drafting one of them would give the Bears a pass rusher to complement Sweat without immediate pressure to produce.