Usually, groups who buy at the NFL’s yearly trade duedate are competitors attempting to strengthen their lineup for a deep playoff run. For the 2nd straight year, the 2-6 Chicago Bears broke this precedent when they traded a 2024 second-round choice to the Washington Commanders for pass-rusher Montez Sweat.
Chicago mostlikely felt comfy givingup more draft capital for an older (arguably lower) Commanders protector (cough, cough, ahem) since the concept was that Sweat would be their franchise pass-rusher moving forward. After an extension for a guy in the last year of his novice agreement, Sweat would endupbeing a part of their long-lasting future.
But there’s the rub.
According to ESPN’s Dan Graziano and Jeremy Fowler, the Bears traded for Sweat without an extension in location and without substantial extension talks currently occurring. They basically purchased a lotto ticket to get ahead of the crowd of groups who might shout for Sweat in March’s totallyfree company. Now, after basic supervisor Ryan Poles formerly stoppedworking to extend previous Bears linebacker Roquan Smith and presently annoyed cornerback Jaylon Johnson (who they supposedly low-balled), they will attempt their extremely best to extend Sweat rather of utilizing the feared franchise tag on him. Never mind that Sweat chosen to play with the Atlanta Falcons and has all the takeadvantageof in the world on the Bears, provided what they gaveup to acquire his services.
Oh, excellent, they’re going to try.
More from ESPN:
Nothing authorities on the schedule at this point, however I am tol