Will the Bears Star Edge Rusher Return to Form in 2025?
In 2023, defensive end Montez Sweat would join the Chicago Bears halfway through the season. Sweat would total six and a half sacks with the Commanders, and six with Chicago. This would put the defensive veteran at 12.5 sacks on the season, alongside 57 total tackles, making it his best year yet. With the impressive season came much higher expectations heading into the following year. Unfortunately for Sweat, he could not capture that same magic and followed up with much less than he had previously.
Sweat would gather five and a half sacks and 32 total tackles in 2024. While by no means a bad year, it wasn't quite what Bears fans expected out of their new big-money defensive end. The Bears would rank 27th in total defense for the year, allowing 354 yards per game. Sweat was considered a huge bright spot in what was an underwhelming defensive end room, making his performance all the more disappointing to fans coming off his career year. Looking forward to the 2025 season, the Bears have made some changes under their new head coach Ben Johnson that may unlock the Sweat the fans saw previously.
The Bears would sign former Colts defensive end Dayo Odeyingbo to a three-year contract, worth $48 million with $32 million guaranteed. This move was done to finally give Sweat a consistent pass rusher to play opposite him. Odeyingbo would have 31 total tackles and three sacks last season in his fourth year, looking to make a huge jump in Chicago. Sweat will not be the only threat opposing offenses have to worry about, allowing him to get to the quarterback much quicker with less attention on him. The Bears wouldn't stop there, however, signing former Falcons defensive tackle Grady Jarrett. The two-time Pro Bowler becomes a huge veteran presence on a young Bears defense. He will head into his 11th season, where he had 53 total tackles and two and a half sacks in 2024. Jarrett will now make the Bears’ defensive room more dangerous, once again giving offenses more to worry about besides Sweat. While 2024 wasn't the year Sweat wanted, 2025 is looking like he could unlock his full potential going forward on the Bears.
