The following is the sixth of nine position previews in advance of training camp.
Star pass rusher Montez Sweat — who the Bears acquired in a midseason trade last year — will once again be the focal point of the defensive line room. He will be joined by four returning contributors: end DeMarcus Walker and tackles Andrew Billings, Gervon Dexter Sr. and Zacch Pickens.
Sweat came to Chicago Oct. 31 via a trade with the Commanders and less than a week later, signed a four-year contract extension with the Bears. In just nine games with the team, Sweat proved his talent, totaling a team-high 6.0 sacks after registering 6.5 with Washington. He became the first player in NFL history to lead two teams in sacks in the same season.
Through five NFL seasons, Sweat has started all 76 games he’s appeared in and has registered 222 tackles, 41.5 sacks 99 quarterback hits and 51 tackles-for-loss. The Pro Bowler is one of seven players in the NFL with at least 5.0 sacks in each of the last five seasons.
“I really feel that Montez is in a good spot,” coach Matt Eberflus said June 4. “Obviously his talent level is there and our system and the way our culture is really lets guys play at their highest level, meaning that we’re going to make sure guys play at their max effort, max intensity, max preparation, because that’s the way we do it. … He understood that coming in, too. He was very clear with our message on how we do things and he bought into it and he got better every single week. We anticipate that this year, too.”
Opposite of Sweat is eight-year pro Walker, who returns for his second season with the Bears after spending time with the Broncos (2017-20), Texans (2021) and Titans (2022). Walker appeared in all 17 games with 11 starts last season and tallied 30 tackles, 16 QB hits, nine TFLs and 3.5 sacks.
Another returner is end Dominique Robinson, who enters his third season with the Bears. He was drafted by the club in the fifth round of the 2022 draft and has played in 28 games with seven starts, recording 42 tackles, three TFLs, three QBHs and 2.0 sacks.
The Bears added a new pass rusher to the mix this offseason by drafting Kansas product Austin Booker in the fifth round. The 6-6, 245-pounder appeared in 18 college games, six at Minnesota in 2022 and 12 at Kansas in 2023. Booker earned First Team All-Big 12 honors last season after registering 56 tackles, 12 TFLs and 8.0 sacks.
After drafting Booker, general manager Ryan Poles and coach Matt Eberflus both noted that while the 21-year-old will need “a lot of growth and development,” he also has “tremendous upside.”
Booker already caught the attention of his teammates in the offseason program, specifically Sweat, who hopes to be a mentor to the rookie.
“Oh man, I’m excited about him,” Sweat said. “He’s got the whole makeup, from the frame to the pass-rush ability. He’s gonna be a great player.
“I’ve just gotta be that big brother for him. Be there for him when he has a question, just help him along the way like the vets helped me.”
Other defensive ends competing for a roster spot in training camp are veterans Khalid Kareem and Jacob Martin, second-year pro Daniel Hardy and rookie Jamree Kromah.
The interior of the line features eight-year vet Billings along with 2023 draft picks Dexter and Pickens — all of whom are entering their second season with the team.
Billings became a staple up front last season, starting in all 17 games and recording 27 tackles, three TFLs and two QBHs. With 84 career games, including 68 starts, under his belt, the nose tackle will continue to be a veteran leader this season.
Dexter and Pickens will look to expand on their rookie campaigns — where they both appeared in all 17 games — and gain more experience this season. Dexter started one game in 2023 and finished the season with 20 tackles, 10 QBHs and 2.5 sacks. Pickens recorded 20 tackles, two QBHs, one TFL, one forced fumbles and 0.5 sacks.
Both second-round picks made strides this offseason in improving their physique in preparation for the upcoming season.
“They’ve improved mentally, physically,” defensive line coach Travis Smith said. “You can see for two big men, they can run now. Both of them. And they both made the numbers, at least, they did a really good job of taking it off without taking it off, making sure they’re improving physically. We’re really happy with where they are now.”
Other defensive tackles competing in training camp are four-year pro Byron Cowart, second-year pro Michael Dwumfour and Keith Randolph Jr. and Dashaun Mallory.
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