The Chicago Bears are gearing up for a hyped 2026 season, where they're looking to build off their impressive first season under head coach Ben Johnson, which included an NFC North title and a wild-card playoff win. While they found success in 2025, it's a brand new slate for this Bears team following an offseason of change, including the departures of key veterans and the additions of new veterans and exciting rookies.
The work begins in training camp, where Johnson will put his team through the wringer with the intent to prepare them for the 2026 season. Every day from now right up through training camp, we’re counting down our 30 Most Important Bears for the 2026 season. We’ll recap their 2025 season, look ahead to 2026 and tackle the biggest
question facing them this year.
We are down to the top five, beginning with defensive end Montez Sweat, who impressed Bears coaches and front office members alike with his 2025 season. Now, he must carry a turbulent defensive line once again in 2026.
Background
Position: Defensive end
Age: 29
Experience: 8th season
2026 cap hit: $25 million
2025 recap
Sweat entered the 2025 season with something to prove to a new coaching staff. He was banged up in 2024 and wasn't living up to the lucrative deal that he signed after coming to Chicago in 2023. Sweat worked hard during the offseason and managed to start every game last season, producing 53 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, 10 sacks, five pass breakups, and three forced fumbles. Statistically speaking, it was the second-best season of his career. Sweat locked down one side of the defensive line while the other end position rotated players constantly due to injuries. Head coach Ben Johnson would call Sweat's 2025 season the best of his career as he carried a struggling defensive line.
Importance in 2026
Sweat is easily the most important member of the Bears' defensive line. He has been the best and most consistent member of the group since 2023, though that hasn't been a high bar to clear. With little investment made across both the edge rushers and tackles, that is going to continue in 2026. Fans may not be satisfied with Sweat's performance compared to his salary, but it's clear the coaches appreciate what he brings to the table. Even with his numbers last year, the team still finished tied for seventh-fewest sacks in the NFL. Sweat will need to repeat his 2025 production for the Bears' defensive line to have any shot at controlling the line of scrimmage.
Big question: Have we already seen Sweat's best?
When Sweat came over from the Washington Commanders midway through the 2023 season, he went on an absolute tear and showed everyone he was worthy of the hefty price tag the Bears paid for him. Nearly three years removed from that season, it's likely that was the peak of Sweat's career. Sweat has been a solid edge rusher for Chicago and can basically be penciled in for nine sacks, 11 tackles for loss, and a forced fumble or two every year. Is that worth $25 million as the highest-paid player? Not really. We've seen Sweat elevate the play of players around him in the past, which makes him so important. But it only seems to come in stretches. It's possible this is the best we'll see out of Sweat going forward as he gets older.
30 Most Important Bears of 2026
This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: 30 Most Important Bears of 2026: Montez Sweat (No. 5)
