Montez Sweat

Montez Sweat established himself as a dominant force in collegiate football, earning a spot on the 2017 All-Southeastern Conference (SEC) football team after recording 10.5 sacks in his first season at Mississippi State University in 2017. He continued this impressive performance in 2018, tallying 12 sacks as a senior, which led to his inclusion in the 2018 All-SEC football team and recognition as an All-American. Sweat then showcased his elite athleticism at the 2019 NFL Combine, setting a record for a defensive lineman in the 40-yard dash with a blazing 4.41 seconds. His outstanding collegiate career and combine performance culminated in his selection by the Washington Redskins in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft, 26th overall, where he signed a four-year rookie contract worth $11.6 million.

He swiftly made his presence felt on his new team, recording his first sack as a Bear against the Detroit Lions in 2023. His exceptional performance throughout the entire 2023 season earned him his first Pro Bowl selection in 2024 and cemented his place in NFL history as the first player to lead two teams in sacks during a single season. He concluded the 2023 campaign with a career-high 12.5 sacks, comprising 6.5 with Washington and 6 with Chicago, a contribution that Bears head coach Matt Eberflus dubbed the ”Tez effect,’ highlighting his immediate and substantial enhancement to the team’s overall defensive performance.