The Washington Commanders traded edge defender Montez Sweat to the Chicago Bears on Tuesday, a rare win-win-win trade where everybody makes out well.
The Commanders will receive a second-round pick in return, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.
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A season ago, the Bears had the worst pressure rate in the NFL by a significant margin. This year, they have managed to climb all the way to 31st in the league but still apply heat on the opposing quarterback just a little over 27% of the time.
Sweat has recorded 27 pressures this season and has sacked opposing quarterbacks eight times. He doesn’t transform the unit by himself, but he gives the Bears at least one high-quality, starting-caliber player on a unit that doesn’t have any otherwise.
From a Washington perspective, they get a second-round pick — and likely a high one — for a player they had very little hope of being able to keep, given the dynamic with Chase Young and his status as an impending free agent.
They not only cash in early, but they improve their negotiating position with Young, given the two players share representation. This move also signals a departure from Washington’s previous modus operandi, where they typically lost a succession of players at the end of their deals with nothing in return, and that's a good sign under new ownership.
Lastly, Sweat will likely sign a new extension with the Bears, and given the deal recently signed by Rashan Gary in Green Bay was so team-friendly, it makes a lot of sense to use it as a basic template for Sweat’s contract.
As good as Sweat is, he is a step down from the true elite pass-rushers in the league, but a contract mirroring Gary’s would be a fair middle-ground for all concerned.
One of the biggest trades of deadline day goes down as a perfect move for all involved.
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