The Chicago Bears have struggled against the Green Bay Packers in recent years, but cornerstone defensive end Montez Sweat made a statement about the Bears’ future against the Packers for the 2024 season.
Montez Sweat appeared on Chris Long’s Green Light podcast and reflected on last season and what the future of this Bears team will look like in 2024.
Sweat underwent many changes this past season, such as being traded from the Washington Commanders to the Chicago Bears halfway through the season.
Chicago Bears Cornerstone Defender
General manager Ryan Poles acquired Montez Sweat via trade from the Washington Commanders.
Before the trade, the Bears’ defense accumulated 10 sacks in eight games.
Since Sweat’s addition, the Bears went from 28th to 20th in points allowed, 23rd to 12th in yards allowed, and 22nd to third in takeaways for the remainder of the season. The Bears also accumulated 11 sacks in the remaining five games.
Statement on Green Bay Packers
Long went on to talk about Jordan Love and the landscape of the NFC North. Long spoke highly of Love and poked Sweat into making a bold claim about the Bears/Packers rivalry heading into 2024.
“I am letting you know right now, man, I am not losing to Green Bay this year. I can’t do it. I can’t do it, man. I am not losing Green Bay. We created a real rivalry over there.”
Bold statements from a daring man. Sweat will be an integral piece heading into a top defense in the NFL.
The two historic franchises’ overall records are relatively even. The Packers have 107 wins, while the Bears have 95 since they first played in 1921.
The Bears have been devastatingly bad in recent history, though. Chicago is 2-18 versus the Packers in the past ten years.
Every single Bears fan is eating up Sweat’s statement to Long. Hope is in the air.
Outlook for Chicago Bears heading into 2024
The consensus is that Chicago is leading off the NFL Draft by drafting USC quarterback Caleb Williams to take over the offense under head coach Matt Eberflus and offensive coordinator Shane Waldron.
The first overall selection isn’t the only pick the Bears have in the first round. They also hold the ninth selection. Most Chicago media has directed their attention on the ninth pick as the first is already seemingly decided.
Early on in the interview, Long asks Sweat what he prefers to play next to—a top interior defensive lineman or an elite edge. Sweat meanders through the answer but ends up saying an elite edge that he can team up with to attack an opponent’s quarterback.
This may be a sign of where the Bears are headed with the ninth pick, a partner in crime to help elevate Sweat and the defense under the defensive-minded head coach.
Optimism reigns high in Chicago, and all the pieces are starting to align with the Bears. This may be the year the Bears can defeat their rival in the North. Chicago fans hope the Sweat statement comes true this season.
Full Sweat Interview on Green Light:
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