ESPN projects lower sack total for Bears edge rusher Montez Sweat

ESPN expects Chicago Bears edge rusher Montez Sweat to record fewer sacks during the 2026 season. After a 2025 campaign that saw Sweat secure 10 sacks, the outlet projects him to finish the upcoming year with approximately six sacks. This forecast places him at number 38 among the league's top 50 projected sack leaders. The projection follows the departure of defensive lineman Gervon Dexter, who was traded to the Atlanta Falcons after tallying six sacks for Chicago last season. Without a clear second pass rusher, personnel constraints on the defensive front remain a factor for the team. While Sweat earned a Pro Bowl selection in 2023, his anticipated 2026 performance level relies heavily on the team's ability to bolster the pass rush through potential free-agent acquisitions such as Leonard Floyd or Joey Bosa.

• 1:30 PMYahoo Sports — ESPN predicts Bears EDGE Montez Sweat will regress in 2026