One of the Chicago Bears’ major concerns going into the off-season was their pass rush. Acquiring Montez Sweat was a significant boon for them. He finished the 2023 season on a tear and made his first Pro Bowl. That isn’t the problem. It is the spot across from him. Yannick Ngakoue left in free agency. That leaves a notable void at the other edge rusher spot. DeMarcus Walker looks like the current favorite for the job, but most agree he’s far better served as a utility weapon who moves inside and outside, depending on the situation. He isn’t a pure edge rusher.
Lots of people remain worried the Bears didn’t do enough to address this issue. Surprisingly, one who isn’t? Montez Sweat himself. His recent comments at mandatory minicamps indicate he is already a big fan of the Bears most notable addition to the defensive line this off-season: Austin Booker. A 5th round pick out of Kansas, he had eight sacks in his only season as a starter, showcasing size, length, explosiveness, and underrated power. Sweat has only watched him for a few weeks, but he sees big things ahead for the rookie.
Montez Sweat should be an excellent teacher for Booker.
After all, the Bears veteran knows what it’s like to upend yourself in college and seek opportunities elsewhere. Sweat spent two years at Michigan State before transferring to Texas A&M, where he finally got on the field. Booker was riding the bench in Minnesota for two years before transferring to Kansas. Unlike Sweat, he opted to go pro as a junior rather than stay in school another year. That is a big reason his body is still underdeveloped, and he needs more refinement as a pass rusher.
There is no question Montez Sweat should make a terrific mentor for the rookie. The two share styles of play and are Midwestern boys. Sweat is from Kentucky and Booker is from Indiana. Add the presence of renowned defensive line specialist Eric Washington as Chicago’s new defensive coordinator, and this is an ideal situation for the rookie to step into. If Sweat is right, the Bears may have gotten one of the steals of the draft. Everything depends on their patience, Booker’s hard work, and willingness to listen.
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Let’s not be so critical of Erik when he makes minor mistakes. For instance, while Kentucky was a border state during the Civil War, nine out of ten maps will rightfully list it as a Southern state or in the Southern region. UK is in the SEC. (Politically, most of Midwestern Indiana is so conservative, it might as well be in the South.) But I am not going to criticize Erik for his opinions. We were both surprised that Booker did not stay in school for another year.
@David: Erik is kind of like that old uncle who can’t remember stuff right that you only see at Thanksgiving dinner. It’s not worth fighting about his memory of Fergie Jenkins winning game 7 of the World Series. Just let it slide, and enjoy the cranberry sauce.
…and I wuz hoping we would draft him too.
Montez Sweat played for 2 years at Michigan State and transferred to Mississippi State and NOT Texas A&M Erik. You might want to correct that. These 2 schools are vastly different and Montez was drafted out of Mississippi State.