The Bears’ defense could use a jolt, and Josh Sweat keeps popping up as the kind of move that would make sense on multiple levels.
Chicago has been thin up front for most of the offseason, even with Montez Sweat already in the mix. The pass-rushing depth just hasn’t been there, and general manager Ryan Poles still has time to address it before the trade deadline opens up more possibilities. That’s where Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report comes in with a projection that would send a conditional 2027 fourth-round pick from the Bears to the Arizona Cardinals for Josh Sweat.
Knox laid out the case this way: "Sweat will turn 30 next offseason and looms as a potential 2027 cap casualty. Moving him for quality draft capital would make sense.
Giving up a conditional pick that could become a Day-2 selection for Sweat would be logical for a contender like the Chicago Bears," wrote Knox. "Chicago still needs a consistent edge presence opposite Montez Sweat, and it could acquire one by doing a deal with the Cardinals."
There’s also the NFC North wrinkle. Any time the Bears can pull off a move that might have otherwise helped the Green Bay Packers, it carries extra bite.
Sweat has ties to Lambeau Field because the Packers hired Jonathan Gannon as their new defensive coordinator, and he has coached Sweat in both Philadelphia and Arizona. Green Bay also needs help while Micah Parsons is out with an injury.
From Chicago’s side, that kind of deal would be a win on the field and a little sweeter off it. The Bears would get the edge presence they need, and they’d also keep a useful weapon away from a division rival.
The fit makes plenty of football sense, too. Sweat posted 30 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, 17 quarterback hits, four forced fumbles with one recovery, two pass breakups, and 12.0 sacks, all while playing for one of the league’s worst teams.
Chicago’s own pressure issues have been hard to ignore, and there are still real questions about Dayo Odeyingbo, especially after an injury. The Cardinals say they don’t want to trade Sweat, but the logic of moving veterans for value is hard to dismiss.
If the Bears are serious about making a deeper run in year two of the Ben Johnson era, a stronger pass rush could be the difference. And if that upgrade also stings Matt LaFleur and the Packers, even better.
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