Defensive end Montez Sweat led the Washington Commanders with 6.5 sacks through eight games when he was traded at the 2023 NFL trade deadline. Washington received a second-round pick in the 2024 NFL draft for Sweat, a value it felt was too good to pass up for the pending free agent.
Since being traded to Chicago, Sweat has played in eight games for the Bears and has six sacks, giving him 12.5 on the season — a new career-high for the 2019 first-round pick.
As the Commanders enter the regular-season finale against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday, Sweat’s 6.5 sacks still lead the team. Defensive tackle Jonathan Allen’s 5.5 sacks is second on the team.
On Wednesday, Sweat was named to the 2024 Pro Bowl. No Commanders made the Pro Bowl.
Sweat has always been a terrific player, but his previous career-high in sacks was nine back in 2020. Sacks are often what gets defensive ends/edge rushers noticed around the NFL. Former Washington defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio said back in training camp that he felt Sweat’s “numbers were going to explode.”
He was right. Unfortunately for Del Rio, it wasn’t enough to save his job.
In other news about former Washington defensive ends traded this season, former No. 2 overall pick Chase Young was named as a Pro Bowl alternate. Young had five sacks in Washington before his Oct. 31 trade to the 49ers and has 2.5 for San Francisco, giving him 7.5 for the season.
Young finished second among defensive ends in fan voting behind his teammate Nick Bosa. Sweat was fourth among defensive ends in fan voting. Young returned to Washington last week and recorded one tackle.