Bears defensive lineman Montez Sweat is excited to be in a different environment.
The commanders sent the bears sweating at the trade deadline last season, and he quickly agreed to a four-year deal worth up to $98 million with Chicago.
In one interview with the Chicago Sun-Times this week, Sweat said he was proud to get out of Washington, which went 28-45-1 in the four and a half seasons he was there.
AP
“It was a toxic, heavy toll, just losing and people around you coping with losing,” Sweat said. “Sometimes it can rub off on you. You have to be hungry and know you want to win.”
The Bears’ defense immediately improved when Sweat entered the lineup.
He recorded six sacks and 25 tackles in nine games after the trade.
“I definitely made a transition to a better place for me,” Sweat said. “[Shoot]this was my first Pro Bowl and first double-digit breakout year and all those types of things. I achieved some honors that I always aspired to, but never achieved in Washington. You can definitely say it worked better for me.”
Sweat also said he has taken on a more vocal role.
“I’ve grown into a leader,” he said. “I always used to like to lead by example, but lately I’ve felt like I’m talking more, encouraging guys more and just being that tool to give them some confidence.”
As for the commanders, there are some signs that they may be on the rise.
The franchise fired head coach Ron Rivera in January and replaced him with Dan Quinn.
They too selected quarterback Jayden Daniels of LSU second overall in the 2024 NFL Draft.
A litmus test of where each franchise stands will come on Oct. 27 when the Commanders host the Bears.