The Bears have restarted their quarterback contract clock, substituting Justin Fields’ fourth season for Caleb Williams’ rookie deal. This will give the NFC North team more roster flexibility, making two recent big-ticket deals more manageable.
Between November and March, Chicago allowed Montez Sweat and Jaylon Johnson to re-sign at a premium. The first of those trades, for Sweat, was plainly made before the organization knew Williams was headed to Chicago. Sweat joined the Chicago Bulls on a deadline transaction for a second-round selection, capping a five-year stint in Washington.
Sweat stated that the Commanders, who were moving from Dan Snyder to Josh Harris during the defensive end’s contract year, did not engage in extension negotiations. When Ron Rivera informed Sweat that he would be traded, he stated (via The Athletic’s Dan Pompei) that “some things I wanted to take back.” It turned out Rivera and then-DC. Jack Del Rio wanted to keep Sweat, but Harris pushed for the team to trade both of its starting defensive ends — Chase Young was ultimately traded to the 49ers — to accumulate draft money. That helped Adam Peters and Dan Quinn, since Rivera was fired after an eight-game losing streak.
Sweat and the Bears did reach an agreement on a four-year, $98 million contract before the start of Week 9. Sweat took a polite approach when asked about an extension in public, but the relocating defence had already told the Bears (via Pompei) that he would not have made his debut without one in place.
Rivera suggested in August that Sweat discussions, which had been put on hold due to the ownership transition, may resume, but they did not. Sweat served as Washington’s edge anchor after Young sustained career-altering injuries midway through the 2021 season. Although he did not make the Pro Bowl, the five-year starter has 35.5 sacks during his stint in Washington. This included six prior to the 2023 trade. Sweat, 27, received a Pro Bowl invitation after concluding last season with 12.5 sacks.
The Bears may be looking for another defensive end, and a reunion with Yannick Ngakoue is a possibility. The Commanders have retooled around former Quinn Cowboys players, adding Dorance Armstrong and Dante Fowler. The team has also signed Clelin Ferrell. None of these players have performed to Sweat’s level, but ownership and Washington’s prior football staff removed him from the picture before the Peters-Quinn tandem came. Washington traded down (via Philadelphia) from Sweat’s draft placement (No. 40), gaining an additional second-round pick in the process. After picking Johnny Newton with their own second-round pick, the Commanders used the Sweat pick to choose cornerback Mike Sainristil and tight end Ben Sinnott.
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