Montez Sweat ignites the Bears' defense, dominating offensive lines with elite pass-rushing and stout run-stopping. He's playing career-defining football.
Chicago Bears defensive end Montez Sweat has been a problem for offensive lines to deal with this season.
He leads the Bears with 9.5 sacks, and also has 44 total tackles, 13 TFLs and three forced fumbles. His career high in sacks is 12.5 from the 2023 season, when he was traded from the Washington Commanders to the Bears for a 2024 second-round pick.
It's looking like the Commanders should've asked more for Sweat with the numbers he's putting up.
Dennis Allen's defense has been on fire, with the most takeaways (31) in the NFL this season, but it all starts with affecting the passer, which is Sweat's specialty.
Head coach Ben Johnson spoke about the impact that Sweat has had on the defense at Monday's presser and noted that while he is excellent at getting sacks, run-stopping is another of his skills.
"Tez [Montez Sweat] is a guy, I think, since the bye week he's playing some of the best ball of his career," Johnson said. "He would probably tell you the same thing. He's one of our most consistent run defenders, you know, and he's been racking up slowly but surely a sack a game, it almost feels like, since the bye, and a guy we can consistently count on to win one-on-one matchups, and pressure the quarterback. So, I feel really strongly about the way he's playing right now."
People usually associate run-stopping with inside defenders like defensive tackles. Still, Sweat is proof that you can just as easily affect that aspect of the game from the outside, too.
Sweat has been in the NFL since 2019 and was drafted 26th overall out of Mississippi State in the 2019 NFL Draft. He has been to one Pro Bowl (2023) but is in the top five at his position in fan voting.
It's a good thing that Chicago has Sweat on its side, because the Bears are still 21st in sacks this season at 31.
Sweat and the rest of the Bears' defense will have the tough task of slowing down the San Francisco 49ers and Christian McCaffrey on Sunday. McCaffrey has 922 rushing yards and nine touchdowns heading into Week 17.
The running back has scored in four straight games.
After a two-game home stint, the Bears travel to Santa Clara, California, to face the 49ers at Levi's Stadium. The 49ers are 10-4 and recently clinched a playoff berth.
Sunday's game will kick off at 7:20 p.m. CT on NBC and Peacock.