Bears extend Sweat for four years, $98M
Ryan Poles was unflinching in his confidence Montez Sweat would be part of the future of the Chicago Bears, and a new deal for the defensive end materialized quickly.
The Bears have finalized a contract extension for the 27-year-old Sweat, NFL Media reported, ensuring he will be much more than a half-season rental after the team acquired him Tuesday before the NFL trade deadline, sending a 2024 second-round draft pick to the Washington Commanders.
Before making his debut for the Bears on Sunday at New Orleans, Sweat will sign a four-year extension worth $98 million. The annual average of $24.5 million ranks fifth among edge rushers in the NFL, nudging just past the four-year, $96 million contract the Green Bay Packers gave Rashaan Gary. Sweat's deal runs through the 2027 season.
Some criticized the aggressive move because the Bears weren't guaranteed to keep Sweat even though they would have had the franchise tag at their disposal after the season. But Poles was certain all along he would be able to present a contract to Sweat that would make him happy to be part of the organization moving forward.
Sweat led the Commanders with 6 1/2 sacks and is only 2 1/2 away from the careerhigh nine he had in 2020. The Bears enter Sunday's game against the Saints at the Caesars Superdome with a league-low 10 sacks, which has led coach Matt Eberflus to rely on blitzing more in recent weeks.
MORE FOR GERMANY » NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell says Berlin has shown “a lot of interest” in hosting a game as the league plans to extend its agreement to play in Germany beyond 2025.
“Düsseldorf, Berlin — there's been a lot of interest there — so I think they're all possibilities, yes,” Goodell said Saturday.
Frankfurt is hosting two games starting Sunday when the Kansas City Chiefs play the Miami Dolphins at Deutsche Bank Park. The first regular-season game was played last year in Munich.
The NFL's current deal calls for one game next season — it's scheduled for Munich — and another in 2025, likely in Frankfurt.
Düsseldorf, Frankfurt and Munich were all finalists before the NFL selected its host cities. Berlin didn't apply.
Goodell, who took questions from the audience but not from media, didn't reveal if the league has extended its deal but confirmed the NFL is committed to the country long-term.
DOLPHINS ACTIVATE ARMSTEAD » The Miami Dolphins activated left tackle Terron Armstead off injured reserve on Saturday ahead of their game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Armstead sustained a knee injury in Week 4 against the Buffalo Bills, had been limited in practice this week, and was listed as questionable for today. RODGERS STILL WANTS TO TRY » New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers reaffirmed Saturday that he hopes to be back on the field this season.
The 39-year-old quarterback, who was among those in the crowd at Santa Anita Park for the Breeders' Cup on Saturday, told NBC Sports that he is rehabbing daily and “feeling good.” Rodgers tore his left Achilles tendon four snaps into his debut with the Jets on Sept. 11.
“It's a process, step by step, day by day,” Rodgers said in the interview. “There's some great days, some rough days. But the goal for me is to come back this year. It's got to be — otherwise, I think it'd be a lot of rehab in vain. We'll see what happens. I've got to hit some markers before that. I've got to be able to move around. I've got to be able to avoid putting myself in harm's way.”