Three significant alterations in the Chicago Bears defense following the Montez Sweat trade are as follows
The Chicago Bears have posted a 2-2 record since acquiring Montez Sweat, and while the trade hasn't completely transformed their performance, it's evident that the Bears' defense is now playing a distinct and improved style of football following his addition. Here are the most notable differences:
1. Increased Versatility in Pass Rush:
One significant impact of adding Montez Sweat is that the Chicago Bears are relying less on rushing four defenders and are opting for more blitzes. This change has provided the Bears with consistent pressure on opposing quarterbacks without the need for additional blitz packages. Sweat's pass rush win rate has surged from 10% with Washington to an impressive 16% in the last four weeks, resulting in 2.5 sacks, just 0.5 away from leading the team. This enhanced pass rush has led to seven sacks in the past three weeks, a stark improvement from the 10 sacks in the eight weeks before Sweat's arrival. Additionally, the defense benefits from more one-on-one matchups, increasing their success rate. When they do blitz, it has a more significant impact, and when they don't, it allows for more resources in pass coverage. Consequently, the Bears' pass defense has improved, with seven interceptions in the past two weeks, compared to just six in the first eight games without Sweat.
2. Creative Use of DeMarcus Walker:
DeMarcus Walker is another player who has experienced a positive shift in his role following the Montez Sweat trade. Although his playing time has decreased, this change has been beneficial for him. As a rotational edge defender, Walker has become more effective, providing more pressure per snap. His pass rush rate has risen from 8% to 15% since Sweat's arrival, resulting in nine pressures in the last two games, with two of those pressures directly leading to turnovers against Minnesota. The Bears have also started moving him around more, utilizing him on the interior for pass-rushing situations and employing formations that feature both Walker and Sweat on one side, creating opportunities for stunts, twists, and other defensive strategies. Walker is now playing more against left tackles, enhancing the Bears' pass-rushing capabilities and run-stopping abilities in recent weeks.
3. Reduced Reliance on Yannick Ngakoue:
Yannick Ngakoue's performance has been disappointing for the Chicago Bears this season, marking one of the worst years of his career. Despite his struggles, the Bears had limited options due to his potential as their best pass rusher. However, since the Montez Sweat trade, Ngakoue's pass-rush win rate dropped from 5.3% to a mere 2.7%. He added only one sack during this period, and his run defense has remained problematic. In response, the Bears decided to reduce Ngakoue's playing time in a recent Monday Night Football game, decreasing his snap percentage from over 70% in week 11 to just 52%. Surprisingly, this change resulted in a significant improvement in the Bears' pass rush, including Ngakoue, who achieved a 10% pass rush win rate, his best rate of the season. The question remains whether this trend of limited playing time will continue to spark better performance from Ngakoue.
| POLL | ||
30 NOVEMBRE | 29 ANSWERS Three significant alterations in the Chicago Bears defense following the Montez Sweat trade are as follows Is Montez Sweat a top 10 edge rusher in the NFL? | ||
| Yes | 22 | 75.9 % |
| No | 7 | 24.1 % |
| List of polls | ||
