Bears Star Sweat Back in Action After NFI Scare, Defense Still Needs Help
The Chicago Bears got a quick dose of good news when their highest-paid defender, Montez Sweat, was placed on the non-football illness list Tuesday only to be activated Wednesday. The 29-year-old defensive end missed just one day of training camp, a relief for a team that can't afford to lose its best pass rusher.
According to the NFL transaction wire, Sweat landed on the active/non-football illness list when veterans reported. ESPN's Courtney Cronin reported the Bears expected him back in days, not weeks. By Wednesday, he was cleared.
But here's the real story. The Bears are running it back with a defensive end room that ranked second-worst in pass-rush win rate last season. General manager Ryan Poles didn't add a single major edge rusher in free agency or the draft. The biggest move? Re-signing backup Daniel Hardy.
Sweat posted 10 sacks and 54 pressures in 2025. Solid numbers. But he left sacks on the field, literally letting them slip through his fingers. Poles wants to see improvement. So do fans.
The Bears are banking on health from Dayo Odeyingbo, Shemar Turner, and Austin Booker. Odeyingbo is coming off an Achilles tear. Turner is on the PUP list recovering from an ACL tear. Booker showed flashes late last season but is unproven.
Poles didn't rule out adding another pass rusher before Week 1. He said the team will 'investigate any opportunities to get better.' That's GM-speak for 'we're watching the waiver wire.'
If mid-August rolls around and the pass rush still looks thin, expect the Bears to make calls. Free agency or trades could be on the table. For now, Sweat is healthy. That's the only good news.