The Chicago Bears and newly acquired defensive end Montez Sweat have agreed to a four-year, $98 million deal, which includes nearly $73 million in guaranteed money, NFL Network reported Saturday.
The Washington Commanders traded Sweat to the Bears at the trade deadline on Tuesday for a second-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft
The new deal, with an annual average value of $24.5 million, puts him among the elite earners at the position. Currently, only San Francisco’s Nick Bosa ($34 million) and Cleveland’s Myles Garrett ($25 million) earn more.
Sweat, 27, has recorded 6.5 sacks in eight games this season and is one of seven players with at least 5.0 sacks in each of the past five seasons.
He also has 32 tackles and two forced fumbles this season.
“What’s unique about him is that he’s one heck of a pass rusher, but he also – talking to the guys that have played against him in the building and just watching his tape – he’s a really good run player and plays with a great motor,” Bears coach Matt Eberflus said of Sweat. “He’s a great practice player, just talking to the guys that have been with him.
“He’s going to fit right into our culture in terms of working, and your best players got to be your hardest workers.”
Washington selected Sweat with the No. 26 overall pick in the 2019 draft. He is playing this season on an $11.5 million fifth-year option, and Chicago had the cap space to offer him a big extension.
Sweat has 197 tackles, 35.5 sacks and nine forced fumbles in 67 career games, all starts.
–Field Level Media