Chicago Bears defensive end Montez Sweat is on pace for 11-plus sacks this season, which would set a new second-best mark for his career.
His strong showing to start the season comes at a noteworthy time.
Sweat recently reacted to a big-money deal for former Bears teammate Gervon Dexter Sr. Traded to the Atlanta Falcons at the roster cutdown deadline on August 30, Dexter signed a long-term extension on Wednesday.
“Falcons DT Gervon Dexter is signing a four-year, $78 million extension that includes $46.5 million guaranteed, per his agents Drew and Jason Rosenhaus,” ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported on X on September 30. “Atlanta traded for Dexter on August 30, and now is signing him to an extension one month later.
“In three games with Atlanta, Falcons DL Gervon Dexter ranks 8th in the NFL with a 20.5% QB pressure rate among players with at least 50 pass-rush snaps.”
Of course, Sweat is signed through the 2027 season.
Montez Sweat Reacts to Former Bears Teammate’s New Deal
Bears’ Montez Sweat Sends Message to Falcons’ Gervon Dexter Sr.
Perhaps more importantly, though, there is no guaranteed money in the final year of his four-year, $98 million contract. That makes the situation ripe for some kind of movement, though just what is not exactly clear.
What is clear, though, is that Sweat took note of Dexter’s windfall. He shared his reaction in a post on Instagram on September 30.
“Mad Luv [flaming heart, money bag emojis],” Sweat captioned the image on his IG story.
What happened with Dexter likely has no bearing on Sweat’s situation. That is especially true if the latter continues to play the way he has so far. Dexter’s first in Atlanta’s defense under Jeff Ulbrich is cleaner than it ever was in Chicago with the Bears’ various coaches during his tenure.
That can be framed as a failure by the organization. However, it must also be recognized as a deal they got themselves out of making. They also got something in return.
With the future to consider, the Bears will be forced to make more difficult decisions.
