Ever since coming over via trade in the middle of the 2023 season, Bears Edge Montez Sweat has led the team in sacks each year. Will that change in 2026? If so, who are the likeliest candidates?
Though Sweat had more sacks (6) in 9 games in 2023 than he did (5.5) in 16 games in 2024, he still was the team leader in sacks. It was no different last year as Sweat once again led the team with 10 sacks. Considering he has only accrued double digit sacks two times throughout his 7 year career, it’s fair
to wonder if he will maintain his hold atop the current Bears sack charts.
Let’s take a look at the likeliest candidates to unseat him this season.
Edge: Austin Booker #94
Fresh off an All-Pro Preseason, expectations were sky high for Booker entering his second season as a pro. Then he suffered an injury and didn’t play his first regular season game until week 9 against the Bengals. Though he did notch a sack as a reserve that game, he wouldn’t register another sack until week 15 and finished his Sophomore campaign with 4.5 sacks in 10 games played including 3.5 in the final four. Considering Bears GM Ryan Poles has neglected (so far) to bring in any additional help at Edge, it’s fair to assume Booker will have the first chance at starting opposite Sweat in 2026. If that’s the case and his snap count reaches career highs, I fully expect him to flirt with double digit sacks and would not at all be surprised if he beats out Sweat for the teams Sack Crown next season.
Probability: 45%
DT: Gervon Dexter Sr. #99
Another player that was expected to have much more talent added to his position group this off-season was 4th year pro, Gervon Dexter Sr. Big Dex has flashed each year as a pass rusher and has increased his sack totals from 2.5 as a rookie, to 5 and then to 6 last season. Could he surpass Montez Sweat? Well, if Sweat repeats his 2024 season where he only had 5.5 sacks, then absolutely. But I would say it largely depends on Big Dex taking a substantial step forward in his progression as a player while also getting the lions share of snaps at DT. He will also need the revamped (and hopefully healthy) secondary to hold up better in coverage forcing opposing QBs to hold onto the ball longer. If Big Dex has himself a breakout contract year for Dennis Allen’s defense, not only could I see him nearing Sweat’s sack total, but he’ll likely close in on his salary as well – albeit unlikely.
Probability: 10%
Other: DL, LB, DB
Bears Defensive Tackle Grady Jarrett has only secured more than 5 sacks thrice in his eleven season career and never more than 7.5 which was back in 2019. While he finally started to show Bears fans why he was acquired last offseason late in the 2025 season, Jarrett finished the year with only 1.5 sacks – all in his last four games. Hard to imagine Grady Jarrett turning back the wheels of time enough to threaten Montez Sweat in 2026.
Edge Dayo Odeyingbo was brought in last off-season to be the starter opposite Sweat, but had never been much of a sack artist himself in his career, though he did notch 8 sacks in 2023 as a 24 year old. Can he return from his injury and provide a serious spark as a pass rusher? Sure, but considering he didn’t provide much before his injury on this same defense, color me skeptical.
New LB Devin Bush has never had more than 2 sacks in a single season and Bears captain TJ Edwards has never had more than 4. Doubtful either of them become a sack artist at this point.
Some have mentioned Kyler Gordon or even rookie Dillon Thieneman as options to lead the team in sacks, but neither has ever had more than a single sack in a season so it’s highly unlikely either give Sweat a run for his money this season either.
Probability: 3%
Free Agent
No current free agent has been speculated to become a Bear more so than former New Orleans Saints Edge rusher, Cam Jordan. Jordan’s head coach in 2022, 2023 and 2024 was none other than current Bears Defensive Coordinator Dennis Allen. While Jordan did make the Pro Bowl in 2022, he only notched 8.5 sacks that season which was more than the total amount for the next two seasons combined. Granted, he did bounce back this past season to the tune of 10.5 sacks, it seems like the days of him routinely getting 12 or more sacks is long gone. That said, if he were to be added, one would assume he would have the best chance of besting Sweat’s sack total. The larger question becomes – will Ryan Poles actually bring in a veteran pass rusher? To this point, that answer seems like a “No.”
If Jordan isn’t the guy, Joey Bosa, Jadeveon Clowney, AJ Epenesa, Leonard Floyd and Kyle Van Noy are a few other options, but all are available at this point for a reason and none would strike too much fear in opposing NFC North QBs. Based on Poles’ apparent desire to stick with young, inexpensive options, I would doubt any are brought in, so I don’t think this seems much likely.
Probability: 15%
