The Chicago Bears have been making moves to solidify their roster for the upcoming season, with a focus on strengthening their defense.
One of the key additions was edge rusher Montez Sweat, who was acquired from the Washington Commanders at the trade deadline. Sweat made an immediate impact, recording six sacks and 14 quarterback hits in the second half of the season. His performance impressed the Bears’ front office so much that they signed him to a lucrative four-year contract extension worth $98 million.
Looking ahead to the future, the Bears are gearing up for the NFL Draft, where they hold the No. 1 and No. 9 overall picks in the first round. With the trade of Justin Fields, it is clear that Chicago will be targeting a new franchise quarterback, with Caleb Williams being the likely choice at the top overall pick. This leaves the No. 9 pick open for the Bears to select another key player to build around.
Head coach Matt Eberflus has emphasized the importance of finding a pass-rushing partner for Sweat, indicating that the team may target an edge rusher or interior defender with their second first-round pick. Options such as Dallas Turner, Laiatu Latu, and Byron Murphy II could be on the Bears’ radar come draft day.
The Bears will have a lot of pressure to make the right selections in the draft, as they look to build a competitive team for the future. With multiple options available, Chicago is shaping up to be one of the most intriguing teams to watch in this year’s NFL draft.
