The Chicago Bears got the job done. GM Ryan Poles knew he needed to give his defensive line life after a brutal first half of the 2023 season. So he took the aggressive approach, trading a 2nd round pick to Washington for Montez Sweat. People were instantly skeptical, feeling the defensive end could just turn around and leave in free agency. However, Poles was undaunted. He insisted an extension would get done. He kept his word. Chicago locked Sweat up to a lucrative four-year deal at $98 million.
One would think the Bears are likely done making any significant veteran additions going into the off-season. Poles has said he wants to build this roster through the draft. He's stuck to that approach thus far outside of one or two strong additions in free agency like Tremaine Edmunds. However, there is one key reason to think Poles can and will be more aggressive this coming March. Sports Mockery's own Dhruv Koul pointed it out.
That is something people can't overlook. Part of the reason many teams don't spend big in free agency is because they're either paying a massive contract to a quarterback or are about to. Justin Fields isn't likely going to earn that gigantic extension after this season. Signs point to Poles restarting the clock at QB via the draft. That means the Bears will have a four-year window to be less frugal with their spending.
Montez Sweat may not be the only new arrival for long.
The Bears had $110 million in projected salary cap space next off-season. Even after Sweat's extension, they have more than enough to take another big swing in free agency. This is presuming they don't mind losing out on the compensatory draft pick formula again. Free agency next spring could feature some prominent defensive line talent, depending on what happens with extensions or franchise tags.
- Brian Burns
- Danielle Hunter
- Josh Allen
- Chase Young
- A.J. Epenesa
- Josh Uche
- Bryce Huff
- Carl Lawson
They could also target interior studs like Chris Jones or Justin Madubuike. Imagine how different the Bears defensive line could look if they managed to pair one of those guys with Montez Sweat. It would be a massive upgrade in capability, and it doesn't even include the improving Gervon Dexter or Zacch Pickens in the mix. By doing this, as well as hopefully extending Jaylon Johnson, the Bears don't have to worry about addressing the defense in the 2024 draft. They'll be free to use both of their 1st round picks on the offense. One will likely be a quarterback, while the other is a wide receiver or offensive tackle.
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