The Chicago Bears defense has experienced a resurgence this season, where they went from one of the worst defenses in the league to a top-five unit.
Defensive end Montez Sweat, who Chicago acquired in Week 9, has been a huge part of that dominance. His presence has completely transformed the Bears defense, which finally has a formidable pass rush and defenders are capitalizing on the takeaway opportunities as a result.
In the past five games, Chicago has totaled a league-high 14 takeaways and 15 sacks. And they show no signs of slowing down heading into this final three-game stretch.
“I see a hungry group of guys that want to live up to the challenge every week and they want to be great,” said Sweat, via ChicagoBears.com. “We play for the man beside each other and I feel that really shows on the field.”
While Sweat has been instrumental in the defense’s turnaround, he’s also helped elevate the play of others around him. Linebackers Tremaine Edmunds and T.J. Edwards, cornerbacks Jaylon Johnson and Tyrique Stevenson and safeties Jaquan Brisker and Eddie Jackson, among others, have also been key contributors.
“We hold each other to a high standard,” Sweat said. “If I make a play, I’m going to look somebody else in the eyes and see if he’s ready to match my energy, and other guys would do the same. I think that goes across the board. It’s just being held to a high standard, not just [by] the coaches, but your peers.”
The Bears are looking to continue their defensive dominance when they welcome the Arizona Cardinals to Soldier Field on Christmas Eve.