Former Washington Commanders defensive end Montez Sweat made NFL history on Sunday. Sweat was traded on Oct. 31 from the Commanders to the Chicago Bears, where he played the season’s final nine games.
Sweat was named to his first Pro Bowl last week after establishing a new career-high with 12.5 sacks. Sweat’s previous career-high was nine back in 2020.
Sweat led the Bears with six sacks and the Commanders with 6.5 sacks. And, according to Field Yates of ESPN, Sweat becomes the first player in NFL history to lead two teams in sacks for the same season.
Montez Sweat became the first player in NFL history to lead two different teams in sacks during the same season.
He posted 6.5 for the Commanders and 6.0 for the Bears. pic.twitter.com/bVKQSjBxWW
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) January 8, 2024
We aren’t sure if this says more about Sweat or the Commanders. No offense to Sweat, who Washington never wanted to lose but felt the value of a high second-round pick was too much to pass up for the Commanders. Chicago would reward Sweat with a new four-year extension worth $98 million shortly after the trade, and his presence lifted Chicago’s defense.
Meanwhile, defensive tackle Jonathan Allen finished behind Sweat with 5.5 sacks. Chase Young, who also traded the same day as Sweat, finished third on the team in sacks with five.
Outside of the weird Week 11 game against the Giants, Washington’s pass rush produced barely any pressure after trading Sweat and Young.
Now that the 2023 NFL season is in the books, the Commanders will receive the No. 40 overall pick for Sweat.