Tag: Montez Sweat

Bears’ Matt Eberflus wants to add another pass rusher with Montez Sweat

Bears HC Matt Eberflus wants a 1-2 punch at pass rush with Montez Sweat and another player.

The Chicago Bears are a young team on the rise, and there are plenty of reasons to be excited about their trajectory ahead of the 2024 NFL season.

Not only are they set to welcome young phenom Caleb Williams to the fray, along with a slew of dynamic weapons, but the defense is looking to build off an impressive conclusion to the 2023 season.

They have an ascending secondary that returns All-Pro cornerback Jaylon Johnson and other young talent, including Kyler Gordon, Tyrique Stevenson and Jaquan Brisker. They also have a star edge rusher in Pro Bowler Montez Sweat and a dominant linebacker tandem with T.J. Edwards and Tremaine Edmunds.

For Eberflus, the last piece missing on his defense is that dynamic pass rush duo that can affect the quarterback. While Chicago traded for Sweat, who had an immediate impact on defense, last year, they’re still looking for a complement. And Eberflus made it clear that he wants to add a playmaking pass rusher to make the defensive front dominant.

“It’s important that we get that piece because you have to have the 1-2 punch,” Eberflus said, via ChicagoBears.com. “It can be inside as well. You look at who affects the quarterback the most, I would also argue that the inside piece is also something that we should be looking at, and it’s important that we do that. Direct line to the quarterback. When they max protect, it’s a soft spot in the protection. We’re looking at all pass rushers. It can be inside, outside, all along the line. We’re having an open mind in that regard.”

At this point, most mock drafts have the Bears going wide receiver with that ninth overall selection. But, listening to Eberflus talk about the importance of adding a playmaker to affect the quarterback, you have to believe pass rusher is certainly in play. Whether that’s at No. 9 (Dallas Turner, Jared Verse, Laiatu Latu) or in a trade-back scenario (Chop Robinson, Darius Robinson).

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Commanders to host Western Michigan DE Marshawn Kneeland on pre-draft visit

The Commanders bringing in another defender on a pre-draft visit.

The Washington Commanders have six picks in the first three rounds of this month’s 2024 NFL draft. While Washington is expected to take a quarterback at No. 2 overall, it must address other areas on the roster, too.

One of those positions is defensive end. The Commanders traded defensive ends Chase Young and Montez Sweat at the trade deadline last fall and allowed backups Casey Toohill and James Smith-Williams to depart via free agency.

Under new head coach Dan Quinn, Washington signed veterans Dorance Armstrong, Dante Fowler Jr. and Clelin Ferrell in free agency. They join a room that includes second-year edge rushers K.J. Henry and Andre Jones Jr.

With Ferrell and Fowler only signed to one-year deals, the Commanders could use some of their draft capital to address the position. One player Washington has shown interest in, according to NFL draft analyst Tony Pauline of Sportskeeda, is Western Michigan’s Marshawn Kneeland.

Pauline says Kneeland has 16 visits scheduled, with Washington being one of those visits.

Kneeland played in 37 career college games, and while he didn’t post eye-popping sack numbers, he was productive. A former high school tight end, Kneeland is athletic and is known more as a power rusher than a speed rusher.

The Commanders continue to focus on bringing in players on top-30 visits who have high-level traits. Kneeland is expected to be drafted on the second day of the draft.

 

Former Commanders DE Casey Toohill signs with the Bills

Casey Toohill follows Curtis Samuel to Buffalo.

When the Washington Commanders opened last season, their top five defensive ends were slated for free agency after the season. At the NFL trade deadline in October, Washington traded starting defensive ends Montez Sweat and Chase Young.

The trades of Sweat and Young left the Commanders with James Smith-Williams, Casey Toohill, and Efe Obada atop the depth chart, with rookies K.J. Henry and Andre Jones Jr. as the backups.

This offseason, new GM Adam Peters and head coach Dan Quinn have been rebuilding the position, using free agency to sign Dorance Armstrong, Dante Fowler Jr. and Clelin Ferrell. Washington did bring back Obada on a one-year deal.

Toohill found a new home on Tuesday, signing a one-year deal with the Buffalo Bills.

 

A 2020 seventh-round draft pick of the Eagles, Toohill was claimed off waivers by the Commanders in October of his rookie season. He became a consistent part of Washington’s rotations over the past four seasons, playing in 16 games in each of the past three seasons, making 14 starts.

Toohill had a career-high five sacks in 2023. Toohill has played in 57 games for his career, recording 80 tackles, 20 QB hits, and seven sacks.

Smith-Williams remains a free agent.

 

Commanders DE K.J. Henry recruiting one of the NFL’s top pass rushers to Washington

Commanders DE trying to recruit one of the NFL’s best to Washington.

After trading away Montez Sweat and Chase Young at the NFL trade deadline in October, outside of one game, the Washington Commanders failed to apply pressure on opposing passers throughout the second half of the season.

Young and Sweat’s departures did allow younger players, such as rookie K.J. Henry and Andre Jones Jr., to receive significant reps last season. Henry, a fifth-round pick from Clemson, had some impressive moments. He appeared in 10 games, making three starts. He finished his rookie season with 19 tackles, including four loss and 1.5 sacks.

But while Henry looks to have a nice future in Washington, the Commanders need some help to apply pressure on opposing passers under new coach Dan Quinn.

The good news for Washington is there is some depth at edge rusher in free agency. The two top pass rushers, Josh Allen (Jaguars) and Brian Burns (Panthers), are expected to be franchise tagged. Both will cost a lot, but the Commanders have the cap room — if one becomes available.

Carolina has been trying to come to an agreement with Burns on an extension but stopped contract talks at the NFL combine as the two sides remain far apart.

Henry, knowing the Commanders need some additional help in getting after the quarterback, is looking to recruit Burns to Washington.

Burns never acknowledged Henry’s tweet, which is not a surprise. There’s a good chance Burns becomes available this offseason but via trade. It’s doubtful Washington GM Adam Peters parts with multiple draft picks for a veteran player who he still must sign to a top-of-the-market deal.

Burns would solve several problems for the Commanders, though.

Could Dan Quinn bring any free-agent Cowboys’ defenders to the Commanders?

Which Cowboys could Dan Quinn target in free agency?

Lots of cap space, a new head coach and a new general manager. Might this lead Dan Quinn to try to bring some Dallas Cowboys to the Commanders?

According to Spotrac.com, the Cowboys will have 14 free agents this offseason. It is not out of the realm of possibility to think there might be a couple of defensive players who, because they enjoyed playing for Quinn in Dallas, might like a change of scenery to again play under Quinn and, of course, obtain a pay increase.

Of those 14 Cowboy free agents, eight were on Quinn’s defense: CB Stephon Gilmore, DE Dorance Armstrong, SS Jayron Kearse, CB Jourdan Lewis, DE Dante Fowler, Jr, CB Noah Igbinoghene, DT Johnathan Hankins, DT Neville Gallimore.

The first name in the list that jumps out at me as a possibility is Fowler. His average annual value was only around $3M, he is age 29, and still displays an explosion on the edge to rush the passer. Fowler and Quinn were also together briefly at the University of Florida. In a rotational role (no starts) in 2023, Fowler contributed 4.0 sacks, 5 TFL and 7 QB hits.

Gilmore, who makes $10M and is now 33, may not be what GM Adam Peters has in mind when it comes to rebuilding the Commanders’ roster.

The other name that sparks interest to me is Armstrong. He is another DE who is younger (age 26), and he would also cost more money. His AAV was $6M, and at 6-4, 255, he is lean and can run down a quarterback. In 2023, Armstrong only made one start, yet he did contribute 7.5 sacks, 7 TFL, and 12 QB hits.

Remember Quinn’s introductory press conference last week? He pointed out that the Commanders are strong at defensive tackle. He certainly realizes they are going to need to probably sign an edge rusher and draft one as well.

The Commanders moved on from defensive ends Montez Sweat and Chase Young during the 2023 regular season, trading them to the Bears and 49ers respectively.

Bears are reportedly ‘very high’ on EDGE Danielle Hunter going into free agency

According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the Bears will have interest in Minnesota Vikings star pass rusher Danielle Hunter this spring.

The Chicago Bears already took a big swing during the 2023 NFL trade deadline to help solve their pass rush woes. Could they do it again this spring when free agency begins? According to ESPN NFL insider Jeremy Fowler, the Bears are “very high” on Minnesota Vikings defensive end Danielle Hunter, who is set to hit the open market this March. Fowler also listed the Jacksonville Jaguars as a possible option as well.

The Bears know Hunter quite well, who has been with the Vikings for the entirety of his nine-year career. Hunter was a third-round pick out of LSU and quickly became an impactful pass rusher for Minnesota. Hunter has made four Pro Bowls during his career and made Second-Team All-Pro in 2018. He’s eclipsed 10 sacks in five of his last eight seasons played, including a career high of 16.5 this past season. He also tied for the league lead in tackles for loss with 23, along with Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby. In total, Hunter has 87.5 sacks, seventh-most in the NFL since the beginning of the 2015 season.

Injuries sidelined the talented edge rusher in 2020, where he missed the entire year due to a neck injury, and he missed half of the 2021 season with a torn pec. Those appear to be in the past, however, as Hunter has played in all 17 games the last two seasons and is looking to cash in once again with a big contract.

Fowler believes it will be difficult for the Vikings to retain Hunter, who signed a new one-year deal worth $20 million last offseason after holding out of the team’s early offseason programs. His one-year contract also prevents the Vikings from using the franchise or transition tag on him.

Given that Minnesota has just under $29 million in open cap space, according to Spotrac, as well as their reluctance to sign Hunter to a long-term deal last offseason, and their other upcoming decisions, such as needing to extend wide receiver Justin Jefferson, it’s very possible Hunter will be playing elsewhere in 2024. That elsewhere could be Chicago.

Adding Hunter to a defensive line that already includes Montez Sweat would be a significant boost to the Bears defense. Sweat was sensational after he was acquired from the Washington Commanders, and the two could wreak havoc on opposing quarterbacks. Sweat and Hunter combined for 29 sacks during the 2023 season. The Chicago Tribune’s Brad Biggs circled Hunter as a fit back in late November following the Bears’ 12-10 win over the Vikings.

Though Hunter will be 30 years old in the fall, he’s shown no signs of slowing down. The question becomes: do the Bears spend big at the defensive end position once again? Sweat will count $25 million against the cap in 2024, and Hunter will be looking for a lucrative deal as well. Chicago is projected to have $49 million available in cap space heading into free agency.

Hunter will likely have other suitors assuming he hits the open market, but given the Bears’ needs and available cap space, he’s certainly an intriguing option.

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.

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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.