It had been a quiet morning on Halloween, which was doubling as the NFL's trade deadline this year. That is, until a most unlikely of buyer came along and started handing out treats. The 2-4from Washington in exchange for what will almost certainly be an early second-round pick. It was a pretty sweet deal for the
It's a huge upgrade for Chicago, to be sure. The defense has just five sacks this season. Sweat has already tallied 6.5 by himself. The Bears can also afford to sign Sweat to a long-term deal almost immediately — and should. They are projected to have the most cap space of any team in 2024 with nearly $90 million, according to Spotrac. Signing Sweat wasn't a move made for this year. It was a move made for the future..
But giving up premium capital was basically buying the right to sign Sweat at market value, instead of overpaying for a pass rusher in free agency. This is where self-awareness comes in on the Bears' part. If they were to wait and sign a pass rusher in free agency, they'd likely have to beat out every other offer for a hot commodity. Pass rushers aren't taking team-friendly deals to come to snowy Chicago with a team that is still in the process of a rebuild.
Of course, teams always need pass rushers no matter what system they run. It's worth noting that the Bears' current Tampa 2 system under Eberflus needs production out of two crucial positions: weakside linebacker and three-technique defensive tackle. Chicago got one in free agency with. They are relying on younger players and a rotation up front to make up for the latter.
There is still room for creativity given the assets the Bears still have both monetarily and in the draft. They will have plenty of cap space leftover after whatever contract they give Sweat while still retaining both of their first-round picks, which could both be in the top five. Perhaps that's why Chicago seems so cavalier with second-round picks: they have plenty more assets where those came from.Carmen Vitali covers the NFC North for FOX Sports.