Tag: Montez Sweat

Bears CB Jaylon Johnson seals NFC’s win over AFC in Pro Bowl

Bears CB Jaylon Johnson came away with the game-sealing pass breakup in the Pro Bowl, giving the NFC a win.

The Chicago Bears were well-represented at the 2024 Pro Bowl Games, where a couple of contributors helped the NFC to victory.

Star pass rusher Montez Sweat secured crucial wins for the NFC in the Move the Sticks and Gridiron Gauntlet challenges, so it’s only right his defensive teammate, star cornerback Jaylon Johnson, finished the job.

The AFC was down by less than a touchdown as they stood only a few yards from the goal line, and the NFC needed an outstanding defensive play to seal the game. Johnson answered the call, using the entirety of his large frame to bat away Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud’s pass from standout Chargers receiver Keenan Allen, claiming the win for the NFC as time expired.

Johnson didn’t get much of an opportunity to demonstrate the skill that got him to the Pro Bowl in the first place, but he came up when his squad needed him the most. Johnson demonstrated tremendous growth throughout the 2023 season, producing a career-high four interceptions and 10 pass deflections.

Bears DE Montez Sweat reaches new heights in Gridiron Gauntlet win at Pro Bowl

Bears DE Montez Sweat helped the NFC to another Pro Bowl skills challenge win in the Gridiron Gauntlet.

The Chicago Bears are well-represented in the 2024 Pro Bowl Games in Orlando, Fla., with defensive end Montez Sweat and cornerback Jaylon Johnson.

Sweat has been a big contributor for the NFC team, helping them to two key skill competition wins on Sunday. After helping them in the Move the Chains competition, Sweat came up big during one of the Pro Bowl Games’ most anticipated events: Gridiron Gauntlet.

The Gridiron Gauntlet is a full-field relay race between six AFC and six NFC players who take on different tasks in a challenging obstacle course. Sweat participated in the High Point challenge, where he jumped on a trampoline and punched out a football in three consecutive takes.

Sweat’s teammate, cornerback Jaylon Johnson, is participating in the flag football game.

WATCH: Derrick Brown pushes and pulls NFC to wins in 2024 Pro Bowl Games

Panthers DT Derrick Brown helped notch a couple of wins for the NFC on Sunday.

Derrick Brown is making the most out of his very first Pro Bowl Games appearance.

As part of the “Gridiron Gauntlet” event on Sunday afternoon, the powerful Carolina Panthers defensive tackle was tasked with trying to literally push the NFC squad to a victory. Well, he and his partner Minnesota Vikings long snapper Andrew DePaola succeeded—getting Pro Football Hall of Famer and nine-time Pro Bowl pass rusher DeMarcus Ware (and his sled) across the finish line.

Brown and DePaola teamed up to fly by the duo of Cincinnati Bengals defensive lineman Trey Hendrickson and Jacksonville Jaguars long snapper Ross Matiscik. Their triumphant push was set up by the explosiveness of New York Giants defensive lineman Dexter Lawrence II, the sweet feet and strength of Philadelphia Eagles offensive linemen Landon Dickerson and Lane Johnson and the leaping ability of Chicago Bears defensive lineman Montez Sweat.

Oh, and he wasn’t done either. Brown also pulled the NFC to victory in the Tug of War.

Never. Had. A. Chance.

[lawrence-related id=690587,690547,690407]

Bears DE Montez Sweat leads NFC to Move the Chains win in Pro Bowl

Watch Bears star Montez Sweat helped the NFC to a key Pro Bowl challenge win.

The NFL regular season is over, but the Chicago Bears’ brightest stars are set on representing their city in the Pro Bowl.

The NFL’s best players gathered in sunny Orlando, Fla., on Sunday to participate in the NFL Pro Bowl Games, an event that celebrates the league’s most skilled players. The Pro Bowl tradition has been in effect since 1951, but the NFL did away with the dangerous pads-and-helmet Pro Bowl game and incorporated a much safer flag football contest, as well as several activities and challenges that incorporate every position.

Bears cornerback Jaylon Johnson and defensive end Montez Sweat were selected to represent the Windy City, and Sweat has already demonstrated his immense strength in the Move the Chains contest, which involves consists of two five-man NFC and AFC squads moving weights off of a titanic wall and pulling the 2,000 pound structure across the finish line.

The Bears’ star defensive end made certain his NFC team won the contest.

Sweat tallied 6.0 sacks and three forced fumbles in eight games with the Bears. He also became the first player in NFL history to lead two teams in sacks on the year, also contributing 6.5 sacks with the Commanders. Sweat had 12.5 sacks in totality.

Johnson rapidly ascended into becoming one of the NFL’s best cornerbacks this year, snatching four interceptions and batting away 10 passes. He’s participating in the flag football contest.

Bears CB Jaylon Johnson, DE Montez Sweat to participate in these Pro Bowl events

Jaylon Johnson and Montez Sweat will represent the Bears at the Pro Bowl Games. Here’s a look at the events they’ll be competing in:

The Pro Bowl Games get underway this week, where the Chicago Bears will have two representatives: cornerback Jaylon Johnson and defensive end Montez Sweat.

Johnson will participate in two events at the Pro Bowl Games: Closest to the Pin on Thursday and NFL Flag Football on Sunday.

Closest to the Pin: This golf accuracy competition will feature five players from each conference. They will drive the golf ball, working to hit it as close to the hole as possible. The winner will earn three points for his conference.

Meanwhile, Sweat will participate in two events: Move the Chains and Gridiron Gauntlet, both on Sunday.

Move the Chains: This offensive and defensive linemen strength and speed competition takes strategy and teamwork. Each team of five players must work together to move 3,000 pounds of weights off a massive wall and be the first team to pull that 2,000-pound wall across the finish line. The winner will earn three points for their conference.

Gridiron Gauntlet presented by Snickers: A full-field relay race between six AFC players and six NFC players who show off their athletic prowess in a challenging obstacle course. They’ll break through walls and crawl under doors, among other obstacles, to get to the final sled push across the field with the ultimate goal of finishing first. The winning team of each race will earn their conference three points.

Johnson had a career-high four interceptions, 36 tackles and 10 pass breakups in 14 games. He proved to be one of the NFL’s best cover cornerbacks and unlocked the takeaway aspect of his game, earning his first Pro Bowl and All-Pro nods.

Sweat transformed Chicago’s defense from one of the worst into one of the best in the league. He had a career year with 12.5 sacks and 63 pressures, earning his first Pro Bowl nod. Sweat led both the Bears (6.0) and Commanders (6.5) in sacks.

Commanders DE K.J. Henry named an early 2024 breakout player

Can K.J. Henry lock down one of Washington’s starting defensive end spots in 2024?

The Washington Commanders have some holes to fill in 2024. The good news for incoming general manager Adam Peters is the Commanders have plenty of salary cap room and some premium draft picks to fill those holes.

While much of the offseason talk surrounding Washington will be on the quarterback position, the Commanders need plenty of help on defense. Washington was terrible defensively in 2023, and the new coaching staff will need to find some pass-rush help.

Perhaps some of that help is already on the roster. K.J. Henry was a fifth-round pick from Clemson in 2023. When the Commanders traded Montez Sweat and Chase Young at the NFL trade deadline in October, Henry’s role increased.

Overall, Henry would play in 10 games as a rookie, including making three starts. He finished his first season with 19 tackles, including four for loss, 1.5 sacks and two quarterback hits.

Could Henry contend for a starting position in 2024?

Pro Football Focus recently named one early breakout candidate for next season, and Henry was that player for Washington.

The Commanders traded away Chase Young and Montez Sweat mid-season, and they are slated to lose both Casey Toohill and James Smith-Williams to free agency, leaving a once stellar edge group rather barren. Henry — a fifth-round pick out of Clemson — will be one of the remaining names this offseason and while he didn’t get a ton of opportunity as a rookie, his final year at Clemson was encouraging, where he posted an 84.0 pass-rush grade, 53 pressures and five sacks. Henry could be called upon to play a much larger role in 2024 for the Commanders.

Peters will address the defensive end position likely in free agency and the NFL draft. How much will he invest in the position? The Commanders will look very different next season but Henry should be a part of Washington’s defensive end rotation.

NFL execs believe Bears will land Chase Young in free agency

Could there be a Montez Sweat-Chase Young reunion with the Bears? Some NFL execs certainly think so.

The Chicago Bears have some needs to address this offseason, including edge rusher. While Chicago acquired stud Montez Sweat in a trade with the Washington Commanders, they’re still in need of a power rusher opposite him.

If the Bears address edge rusher in free agency, there are some big names slated to hit the open market — including Brian Burns, Josh Allen, Danielle Hunter and Chase Young.

Young played with Sweat for four years in Washington, and the duo were a potent 1-2 punch off the edge. Could a Sweat-Young reunion be in the cards for Chicago? Some NFL execs certainly believe so.

ESPN spoke to a number of NFL executives, scouts and personnel figures, and they believe the Bears will sign Young in free agency.

Washington traded its star defensive line bookends at the 2023 trade deadline, with Sweat then thriving as the Chicago Bears’ lead rusher and Young now competing for a Super Bowl with the San Francisco 49ers.

Chicago, in its efforts to bolster its pass rush, evaluated both Young and Sweat in the months leading up to the deadline. Sweat landed a four-year, $98 million extension with the Bears, who could spend more money in free agency to sign a pass-rusher such as Young.

Young, like Sweat, was traded at the trade deadline. He landed with the San Francisco 49ers, where he totaled 2.5 sacks (on top of 5.0 with the Commanders).

Sweat made a significant impact on the Bears defense when he arrived in November. He had a career year with 12.5 sacks, earning his first Pro Bowl nod. Outside of his production, Sweat’s presence elevated the play of those around him. Sweat became the first player in NFL history to lead two teams in sacks in a season — Bears (6.0) and Commanders (6.5).

We’ll see if Young ultimately reunites with his former Commanders teammate, which would give Chicago a formidable edge rushing duo.

Ranking Commanders’ 10 biggest needs entering 2024 offseason

We examine all of Washington’s top needs heading into the offseason.

New Washington general manager Adam Peters has his work cut out for him this offseason. Peters inherits a roster with plenty of holes on both sides of the ball.

Fortunately for Peters, the Commanders have six of the top 102 selections in the 2024 NFL draft, including No. 2 overall, and an estimated $75-80 million in cap space this offseason.

Before Peters attacks the roster, he must first find a head coach. Washington’s head coaching search picked up last week with several candidates interviewed.

With some of their teams eliminated from the playoffs, the Commanders could begin scheduling second interviews this week. However, four of the coaches Washington interviewed remain alive in the NFL playoffs, and the Commanders will need to wait at least another week before pursuing a second interview.

As for Washington’s roster, we rank the Commanders’ top 10 needs heading into the 2024 offseason.

Montez Sweat had high praise for Bears teammate DJ Moore

Montez Sweat sounded off on where Bears teammate DJ Moore ranks among NFL wide receivers.

Wide receiver DJ Moore made a huge impact in his first season with the Chicago Bears, where he totaled career highs in receptions (96), receiving yards (1,364) and touchdowns (8).

Still, Moore doesn’t garner the respect he deserves, including being a notable Pro Bowl snub, especially playing in some underwhelming offenses in his six-year career. Case in point: ESPN’s Shannon Sharpe, who said Moore wasn’t even a top-15 wideout in the NFL.

Sharpe asked one Twitter (X) user which of these receivers he’d take over Moore:

Tyreek Hill, CeeDee Lamb, Ja’Mar Chase, Justin Jefferson, Stefon Diggs, Davante Adams, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Puka Nucua, A.J. Brown, D.K. Metcalf, Debo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk, Amari Cooper, Keenan Allen, Mike Evans, Cooper Kupp, Michael Pittman Jr., Nico Collins

Sharpe’s own answer was clear in posing the question: None of them.

Meanwhile, Moore had the sixth-most receiving yards in the NFL and was part of one of the league’s most dangerous duos with Justin Fields. Not to mention, Fields missed four games this season — and Moore still balled out.

Bears star defensive end Montez Sweat sounded off on the debate with high praise for his teammate: He’d take Moore over all 18 of them.

The Bears acquired Moore from the Carolina Panthers in a trade of the first overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft. The haul also included right tackle Darnell Wright, cornerback Tyrique Stevenson, the No. 1 pick in 2024 and a 2025 second-rounder still on the way.

Moore was one of the most impactful additions this season, where he proved to be Fields’ most reliable weapon and an electric playmaker. Chicago’s passing offense improved from 32nd in the NFL in 2022 to 27th in 2023.

There’s uncertainty at the quarterback position this offseason, but Moore has made his stance clear: He wants Fields back in 2024. We’ll see if Moore gets his wish.

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Montez Sweat is first player to lead 2 teams in sacks in single season

Bears star defender Montez Sweat made NFL history this season.

The Chicago Bears struck gold when they acquired defensive end Montez Sweat from the Washington Commanders at the trade deadline.

Sweat’s addition transformed Chicago’s defense from one of the worst into one of the best in the league. He had a career year with 12.5 sacks, earning his first Pro Bowl nod. Outside of his production, Sweat’s presence freed up opportunities for others around him.

In fact, what Sweat accomplished this season has never been done before in NFL history.

With the 2023 regular season in the books, Sweat officially ended as the team leader in sacks for both the Bears (6.0) and Commanders (6.5).

Sweat has helped revamp a Chicago pass rush that was the NFL’s worst. Behind Sweat’s 6.0 sacks, defensive tackle Justin Jones had 4.5 sacks and defensive end Yannick Ngakoue finished with 4.0 sacks.

According to Pro Football Focus, Sweat finished the 2023 season with 16.0 sacks (half-sacks count as full sacks) and 63 pressures, both career highs.

After being traded to the Bears, Sweat signed a four-year extension worth $98 million, which means he’s going to be a key part of Chicago’s pass rush for years to come.