Bears notebook: DE Montez Sweat is 'the guy,' new injuries on the offensive line and more

Other than quarterback Caleb Williams, the key Bear for 2025 is defensive end Montez Sweat. He’s the most expensive player on the roster, accounting for nearly 9% of the salary cap at $25.1 million, and will make an enormous difference if the Bears finally fix their pass rush.

They made a huge investment on the defensive line this offseason — $90.1 million on multiyear deals for Dayo Odeyingbo and Grady Jarrett, plus a second-round pick on Shemar Turner — but they’ll still go as Sweat goes.

If Sweat can’t get back on track with double-digit sacks, no one else on the depth chart has shown they can do it.

If he returns to being one of the NFL’s most feared pass rushers, it could make the Bears a top-10 defense.

“It’s a collective job as a group, but I guess if you say I’m the guy, yeah, I want to be the guy,” Sweat said after practice Saturday.

He’s the guy whether anyone says it or not.

The biggest personnel move general manager Ryan Poles has made aside from drafting Williams was trading a second-round pick for Sweat in 2023 and immediately signing him to a four-year, $98 million extension. This has to work.

It didn’t last season under former coach Matt Eberflus, but maybe new defensive coordinator Dennis Allen can make better use of Sweat’s ability.

With little help last season and playing through shin and ankle injuries, he had only 5½ sacks — still the highest on the team. It was less than half his total from the previous season and the second-lowest amount of his career.

New coach Ben Johnson was optimistic about Sweat after meeting with him in the spring.

“Everything that we sat down and talked about is exactly what he’s been about,” Johnson said. “That speaks volumes for his character. . . . He’s committed to getting better.”

Loveland steps up

Rookie tight end Colston Loveland, the No. 10 overall pick, worked in team drills for the first time since coming back from offseason shoulder surgery and looked good.

“Now that he’s getting the good reps in, it’s been awesome to see,” wide receiver Rome Odunze said. “Great hands, very -agile, can block. He’s got everything you desire in a tight end.”

Loveland had 56 catches for 582 yards and five touchdowns last season at Michigan, capping a career that included a win in the 2023 national championship game over Washington and Odunze.

“I can’t stand him,” Odunze joked. “He’s got the ring on me, he got his signing bonus [$16 million to Odunze’s $13.3 million as a rookie last year] the other day — man, that guy’s got everything.”

Left-tackle trio

The battle at left tackle among Braxton Jones, Ozzy Trapilo and Kiran Amegadjie hit a snag late in practice when Amegadjie exited with an apparent injury to his left leg. He and Jones had been sharing first-team reps.

Amegadjie was the underdog from the beginning. The Bears drafted Trapilo in the second round at No. 56 overall this year, and Jones is a three-year starter.

Notes

Johnson rested starting right tackle Darnell Wright but said it wasn’t injury-related. Theo Benedet, who was on the practice squad last year, got the opportunity in his place.

† With free agent Nahshon Wright emerging and Terell Smith getting healthy, starting cornerback Tyrique Stevenson appears to have sturdy competition for his spot.

† Rookie wide receiver Luther Burden III remained out with a hamstring injury. When asked when Burden will be on the field, Johnson said, “Hopefully soon.’’

† Backup offensive lineman Doug Kramer also had to leave practice after what looked like a left-leg injury.