Bears’ Montez Sweat Reacts to Being Called Out by Rival: ‘On The Clock’

Chicago Bears star Montez Sweat rejuvenated a moribund pass rush with his arrival from the Washington Commanders at the trade deadline. Sweat posted the first double-digit sack season of his career, logging 6.0 sacks in a Bears uniform. He has also embraced the culture, letting it be known just where he stands on the NFC North rival Green Bay Packers.

So he can appreciate the call out from Tennessee Titans defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons.

?@_sweat9,? Simmons posted on X on May 15, ?you on the [clock].?

Montez Sweat Laughs Off Challenge From Bears’ Week 1 Opponent

Bears Edge Rusher Changed Defense

Sweat could only reply to the remarks with a series of laughing emojis to the preemptive message from the Bears? Week 1 opponent.

The Bears rewarded Sweat with a four-year, $98 million contract before the campaign ended and he could be in for an even bigger season with a year in Head Coach Matt Eberflus? system under his belt.

Tennessee is coming in with second-year quarterback Will Levis and first-year Head Coach Brian Callahan. They also replaced Derrick Henry with former Dallas Cowboys runner Tony Pollard and incumbent Tajae Spears. The Titans also signed wide receiver Calvin Ridley to play opposite DeAndre Hopkins.

This matchup will have significant meaning for a few players on the roster.

Kevin Byard Reacts to Upcoming 1st Meeting vs Former Team

The Bears have brought in several Titans in recent years. Most notable among them are defensive lineman DeMarcus Walker and linebacker Dylan Cole last offseason. This offseason, they signed safety Kevin Byard in free agency.

Byard ? agreed to a two-year, $15 million pact ? dropped a fitting reaction to news of the Week 1 tilt as the NFL released the full 2024-25 schedule.

Byard is stepping in for long-time Bear Eddie Jackson, who was cut earlier this offseason.

Familiar Faces in New Places

Jackson remains unsigned, perhaps of his own volition. But several formal Bears players have found new homes this offseason.

Among them is former punter Trenton Gill, who was cut after the Bears drafted Tory Taylor in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL Draft. Gill inked a deal with the Denver Broncos to offer competition for incumbent Riley Dixon.

Former Bears starting center Lucas Patrick has signed with the New Orleans Saints.

The Bears signed Patrick in 2022. But he spent his first season injured and proved largely ineffective in his second go-round, though he did stabilize the pivot somewhat.

Chicago traded for Ryan Bates, formerly of the Buffalo Bills. They also signed Los Angeles Rams free agent Coleman Shelton in free agency. 2022 draftee Doug Kramer is still on the roster too. That could be a strong indication of how the Bears view him.

Gill and Patrick are just the latest in a long list of players to latch on elsewhere this offseason.

Wide receiver Darnell Mooney signed with the Atlanta Falcons, defensive tackle Justin Jones joined the Arizona Cardinals, and Cody Whitehair the Las Vegas Raiders (with former offensive coordinator Luke Getsy).

Also gone are offensive lineman Dan Feeney (Minnesota Vikings), D?Onta Foreman (Cleveland Browns), Equanimeous St. Brown (Saints), and Trent Taylor (San Francisco 49ers).

They will play Feeney, Jones, and Taylor?s respective teams this season.