Top Cap Expert Projects Likely Montez Sweat Contract From Bears

The Chicago Bears know that in order to make sure their trade for Montez Sweat looks worth it, they have to lock him up to a long-term extension. GM Ryan Poles took a risk making the trade before having any discussions on that front. Still, he sounded confident something would be worked out in the near future. He best hope so. After the Chase Claypool debacle, he can't afford to give up another high 2nd round pick for nothing in return. Chicago has plenty of spending money going into next off-season. It's time they started using it.

Sweat has plenty of leverage. He's played some really good football for the past year and a half. He knows the Bears paid a high price to get him. That will factor into the negotiations. The obvious question is what the final number will be. Two prominent salary cap experts weighed in. Brad Spielberger of Pro Football Focus revealed his projection.

"With the added leverage of Chicago moving what figures to be a top-40 draft pick for his services, here’s where we see a deal ending up.

Contract projection: Four years, $100 million ($25 million per year), $70 million total guaranteed"

He wasn't the only one saying that.

Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune contacted the director of Over The Cap, one of the best sports money-tracking sites out there.

"I texted with Jason Fitzgerald, who runs OverTheCap.com, and asked him for a range for a new deal with Sweat. He thought it would land between $24 million and $26 million annually with a total guarantee between about $65 million and $70 million. Of course, the guarantee would be based on the number of years in the contract."

Montez Sweat would become a top-5 edge with that money.

His numbers would mirror Cleveland Browns superstar Myles Garrett. Is it a lot? Of course, it is. Pass rushers are expensive. That said, it is still $9 million per year less than what Nick Bosa got from the San Francisco 49ers. Besides, there is a strong likelihood that guys like Micah Parsons, Brian Burns, and Aidan Hutchinson will shift the market considerably higher. Two years from now, $25 million per year will look like a fair deal. If that is what Sweat wants, the Bears shouldn't hesitate to give it to him.

It's not like they can't afford it—Chicago projects to have $110 million in cap space next off-season. They can absorb the full $25 million without maneuvering to lower the hit and still have $85 million left to spend on other players. Montez Sweat should have five good years left if he can stay healthy. The Bears can sign him to a deal that allows them to get out after three. It comes down to the guarantees. Having 70% of the contract guaranteed is bound to entice the man to stay put.

The only way this is derailed is if Sweat wants more or if Poles tries to lowball him.