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Opinion

Bears Bye Week Breakdown: Montez Sweat, Defensive Uptick Should Key Draft Plans

With the Chicago Bears enjoying their bye week in Week 13, there is an opportunity to evaluate the roster, particularly with an eye toward the 2024 NFL Draft. After exploring the offense and Justin Fields’ impact on the Bears’ plans for the future, it is time to examine the defense.

The Bears have the 28th-ranked scoring defense (to go with the No. 21 overall scoring offense). That belies their strides on that side of the ball. They have an average grade of 64.0 dating back to their Week 6 loss versus the Minnesota Vikings, per Pro Football Focus. That is quite an improvement from their 56.4 average in Weeks 1 through 5. It also precedes Montez Sweat’s arrival via trade, though the pass rusher has made a clear and immediate impact.

And it could (and probably should) impact what they do in the draft.

Montez Sweat Sets Tone for Bears Defense, Draft Board

Bears Have Invested Heavily Up Front

The Bears have seven sacks as a team over the last three weeks. That is one less week than Sweat has been in town. He has the fourth-highest grade on the defense, albeit in a far smaller sample size than his teammates.

He was in on both of their sacks of Minnesota Vikings quarterback Joshua Dobbs on Monday Night Football in Week 12.

But, whereas Fields playing well would keep the Bears from drafting another quarterback, Sweat’s performance should encourage them to add another pass rusher this coming offseason in free agency or through the draft. They will have the salary cap and draft capital to do either one or even both options.

The Bears added a trio of pass rushers this past offseason.

The addition of Sweat forced DeMarcus Walker into a reserve role, though one that takes advantage of his versatility. It also highlighted just how little production the Bears have gotten out of Yannick Ngakoue and, to a lesser extent, Rasheem Green.

Ngakoue has just 1.0 sacks since that Week 6 matchup with Minnesota. Green has at least made his presence felt on special teams, blocking a field goal and a PAT this season.

The Bears have already invested in their interior defensive line both in free agency and the draft last offseason. Nose tackle Andrew Billings has been key to their No. 1-ranked run defense. And rookies Gervon Dexter Sr. and Zacch Pickens have both flashed when given opportunities. With Justin Jones in the final year of his contract, perhaps the Bears seek an upgrade there.

He grades out higher than only Ngakoue and Domonique Robinson among Bears linemen.

Jones is a leader in the locker room, and he is just one sack away from matching his 2022 total. But he was also their fallback option in free agency after Larry Ogunjobi – a former Cincinnati Bengal who has since signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers – failed his physical.

Bears’ Investment in Linebackers Paying Dividends for Defense

Arguing over whether or not the Bears should have kept and paid Roquan Smith instead of trading him away to the Baltimore Ravens is futile at this point. But what they did in the wake of that decision is commendable. With super-sub Jack Sanborn already in tow, the Bears added Tremaine Edmunds and T.J. Edwards in free agency.

They also drafted Noah Sewell in the fifth round of this year’s draft.

The depth is nice. But it is the production of Edmunds and Edwards that has made moving on from Smith palatable, and even look wise in some ways.

The duo costs the Bears $91 million combined, or $9 million less than Smith’s contract on its own. Edwards leads the league in tackles through Thursday’s games while Edmunds has tied his career-high with two interceptions already despite missing two games due to injury.

Youth Movement in Secondary Could Continue

Even if the Bears wind up losing Jaylon Johnson, they might not have to worry about addressing cornerback this offseason. They have done a good job drafting over the last two years, landing what should be sufficient depth if Johnson stays and potential replacement options – namely rookie Terrell Smith – if he goes.

Kyler Gordon  — who looks like a star in the making — and Tyrique Stevenson already man two starting spots including the nickel. The Bears also have Jaquan Brisker at one safety spot. The other spot, where Eddie Jackson roams, is another spot where there could be some turnover, though. Jackson has not had the same big-play impact he had as recently as last season. He is also heading into the final year of his contract.

Elijah Hicks has filled in admirably for Jackson when the latter has been injured, though he has graded out even worse this season.

If there is a defensive spot they address other than EDGE, a ball-hawking safety a la prime Jackson should be it.