Montez Sweat sat in front of his locker, right next to Grady Jarrett, after the Chicago Bears’ comeback win over the Green Bay Packers in overtime in Week 16.
There was a sense of disbelief as the two veterans discussed what had just happened. Not only did the Bears complete one of the most improbable comebacks in recent memory, but they also recovered an onside kick to even have a chance at forcing the OT period.
Fittingly, Sweat ensured the Bears would get an opportunity to win in the extra frame.
Bears’ Montez Sweat Sends Clear Message After Win Over Packers
Montez Sweat Relishes Bears’ Win Over Packers
Sweat had been close several times all game for the Bears. He had been unable to get home on Jordan Love, who exited with a concussion in the second quarter, or Love’s replacement, Malik Willis. When the Bears absolutely had to have it, though, Sweat was able to finish.
He sacked Willis on the final snap of regulation, ensuring no further heroics from the Packers’ QB2 at that time and the OT.
“It was just a power rush,” Sweat told Clocker Sports after the Bears’ latest comeback victory in a season of them. “Put him on his a**. Got the Q, end [regulation]. And it just meant a lot, just to go into OT. It’s a special group, man.”
Sweat, 29, is in his second full season with the Bears, who acquired him from the Washington Commanders at the 2023 trade deadline, and seventh in the NFL.
He had never been part of a winning campaign. That is, until this season.
Sweat has been a key for the Bears getting the pass rush they have been able to generate this season. He has 9.5 sacks through 15 games. That is the second most of his career. It trails only the 12.5 he had in 2023 and his most in a Bears uniform. There are two games to go.
He is one of the few players ranked inside the top 25 in pressures without a teammate who also is, per Pro Football Reference, making what Sweat has done stand out.
He has 25 in 2025, tying him with Chris Jones, Jalyx Hunt, and Quinnen Williams for 14th most.
Gervon Dexter Sr.– a defensive tackle, not an end–is second on the Bears with 17. Sweat’s intended bookend, Dayo Odeyingbo, has not played since Week 9 against the Cincinnati Bengals. Odeyingo was not necessarily as impactful as a pass rusher as the team had hoped, either.
Unfortunate Turn of Events Sinks Bears’ Plan
The Bears’ plan was for Odeyingbo to slide inside on third downs. They had a slew of options to complement Sweat on the perimeter.
Then, like at other positions, injuries hit Odeyingbo and fellow ends Austin Booker, Dominique Robinson, and rookie second-round pick Shemar Turner. The Bears drafted Turner as a 3-technique DT, but he has collegiate experience at end and moved back outside to help with run defense.
Booker and Robinson are back, joined by 2025 trade pickup Joe Tryon-Shoyinka. But Odeyingbo and Turner are out for the season.
That is another factor in Sweat’s arguably underrated performance this season.
He has been healthy and on the field. The former is not fully in his control. But after back-to-back seasons of questions about his playing time, particularly in critical downs and/or situations, Sweat is on track to log career highs and snap share.
The Bears rewarded Sweat with a $98 million contract extension in 2023, and he is signed through the 2027 season.
They have had less success finding a running mate, but Sweat is producing and getting better.