Facing mounting criticism over a disappointing pass rush, Bears defensive end Montez Sweat embraces the challenge going into the 2026 NFL season.
When the Chicago Bears didn't sign an edge rusher in free agency and neglected to draft one in the 2026 NFL Draft, fans concerns for the team's pass rush only got louder.
The Bears finished with the third-fewest total quarterback pressures (189) and a 31.6% quarterback pressure rate, ranking 27th in the league.
Given the defense's struggles last and not adding any new edge rushers, it makes sense why Bears fans have been voicing their frustrations about the pass rush.
And Montez Sweat has heard the noise.
“You hear the chatter," Sweat said. "It is what it is. Everybody has an opinion. We’ve just got to go out there and do what we’ve got to do. But I hear you.”
And what Sweat and the defensive line have to do is apply more consistent pressure on the quarterback. Sweat, the Bears' four-year, $98 million man, was the best of the group on Chicago's D-line last season.
Sweat finished with 10 sacks and 54 total quarterback pressures, tied for 18th among edge rushers in the NFL. He also finished with a Pro Football Focus run-defense grade of 62.4, which was 61st at the position.
Coach Ben Johnson has consistently praised Sweat for his play in 2025, and his appreciation for the 6-foot-6, 262-pound edge rusher has grown even more since last season.
"I loved him during the season, but when you watch the self-scout after the year, I think this was a guy that played at a very high level," Johnson said. "I talked to him yesterday about it. I would argue it was the best year of his career. Whether that showed up statistically or not, that's debatable, but his ability to play the run and play the pass, I thought he did a really nice job. Hopefully it's something that we can piggyback on and carry that momentum into this year.”
The Bears are shifting their focus this year to fundamentals rather than defensive coordinator Dennis Allen's scheme. This will allow the defensive linemen to hone in on their get-off, hand placement and how to strike a block.
Although this strategy is different, Sweat views the emphasis on the fundamentals as "just football. ... it's the same defense, just less stuff."
Right now, it's tough to gauge if the coaching strategy has made an actual difference, especially since the Bears are practicing without pads. Training camp will be the first test.
And with Johnson calling the shots for training camp, Sweat knows he and his teammates are in for a challenging summer.
“I’m expecting the worst," Sweat said. "I’ll be prepared. Hopefully it’ll be a little easier since I’ve been through it already, but live days, hard hitting, long drives, preseason games, I’m ready."
