The Chicago Bears’ pass rush left a lot to be desired last season, totaling just 35 sacks, which was among the fewest in the NFL. But one of the bright spots was defensive end Montez Sweat, who had a bounce-back year in 2025.
Sweat recorded double-digit sacks for the first time with the Bears (he totaled 12.5 between Chicago and Washington when the Commanders traded him in 2023). He also totaled 53 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, 18 QB hits, 53 pressures, three forced fumbles and five pass breakups. While Sweat wasn’t a superstar at the position, he was consistent and was easily the best part of the Bears’ struggling pass rush.
In fact, according to head coach Ben Johnson, Sweat actually had the best season of his seven-year career. While it wasn’t technically his best statistical season, Johnson pointed to several factors that contributed to Sweat’s impressive 2025 campaign, and it’s something he hopes carries over into 2026.
“This was a guy that played at a very high level,” Johnson said. “I talked to him yesterday about, hey, I would argue it was the best year of his career. Whether that showed up statistically or not, that’s debatable, but his ability to play the run, play the pass, I thought he did a really nice job, and hopefully it’s something we can piggyback on and carry that momentum into this year.”
The Bears didn’t make any moves to bring in new edge rushers this offseason, but they will be getting back some reinforcements with Austin Booker primed to play a full year, as well as the returns of Dayo Odeyingbo and Shemar Turner. Still, there’s plenty of criticism surrounding this Chicago defensive line, and Sweat and the rest of the group are aware.
“You hear the chatter,” Sweat said. “It is what it is. Everybody has an opinion. We’ve just got to go out there and do what we’ve got to do.”
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This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Ben Johnson on why Bears DE Montez Sweat had ‘best year’ in 2025
Reporting by Alyssa Barbieri, Bears Wire / Bears Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Alyssa Barbieri, Bears Wire | USA TODAY Network
