Montez Sweat's $66 million contract projection could help Bears clear a lot of cap space

The Chicago Bears are entering the offseason with some big holes to fill and issues to address. While there are some interesting trades, cuts, and free agent re-signings, there's a bigger looming issue this offseason.

Entering the offseason, the Bears' cap space is not in a good spot. They have negative cap space and will need to find a way to clear a lot of money off their books. While trading DJ Moore or cutting Cole Kmet could net some space, there's a different move they should make.

Extending Montez Sweat could clear some cap space this offseason for the Bears, and it's a very viable strategy this offseason. But what would a new deal look like? Spotrac.com revealed Sweat's projected to get $66 million on a new deal.

Bears get $66M Montez Sweat contract projection

The 29-year-old defensive end is projected to land a three-year, $66,717,267 contract, worth an average of around $22 million per season.

Presently, the Bears can get out of Sweat's contract this offseason, but with such a dire need at pass rusher, it makes more sense for the Bears to extend Sweat.

Not only would they keep a solid defensive lineman around for a while longer, but they could also free up some cap space in the process.

While he's under contract for the next two years, the Bears can move on from the Pro Bowl lineman this offseason. But it doesn't make a ton of sense, especially since they need his position badly.

More: Bears' list of 2026 NFL draft picks, free agents and cap space going into offseason

He had 10 sacks this season and was one of the best Bears defenders. Moving on from him would be a bad idea. Extending him beyond 2027 makes a lot of sense and should be a strong consideration this offseason.

With $25 million cap hits each of the next two seasons, the Bears could extend Sweat to lower his cap hit the next few seasons, giving the veteran lineman extra money while clearing space for the next couple of seasons.

While it might not be the highest priority, it's a move that would make a ton of sense for the Bears to pull off this offseason. Ryan Poles will have some work to do, and this move could be a sneaky important one on the horizon for the Bears.

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