Chicago acquired Montez Sweat for the 2024 second-round pick…
Chicago acquired Montez Sweat for the 2024 second-round pick that became No. 40. Sweat produced 21.5 sacks in 42 regular-season games for the Bears from the trade through 2025 and signed a long-term extension. Washington later packaged No. 40 with two other picks to acquire Nos. 50, 53 and 161, so those three selections cannot be credited solely to the Sweat trade. Both sides created substantial value.
Chicago Bears Received
- player Montez Sweat
Washington Commanders Received
- pick 2024 2nd round pick (40th overall subsequently traded, Cooper DeJean )
Trade Analysis
The Exchange
On October 31, 2023, Chicago acquired Montez Sweat from Washington for a 2024 second-round pick. That choice became No. 40 overall. The trade therefore has a clean first step: a proven edge defender for premium Day 2 draft capital.
Chicago Bears Return
Chicago received immediate and sustained production. Sweat recorded six sacks in nine Bears games in 2023, 5.5 sacks across 16 starts in 2024, and a team-high 10 sacks across 17 starts in 2025. Chicago also signed him to a four-year extension days after the trade. Through the end of 2025, the Bears had received 42 regular-season games, 42 starts and 21.5 sacks from the acquired player.
Washington Commanders Return
Washington received pick No. 40. In the 2024 draft, the Commanders combined No. 40 with Nos. 78 and 152 in a trade with Philadelphia for Nos. 50, 53 and 161. Those selections became Mike Sainristil, Ben Sinnott and Dominique Hampton, but the entire trio cannot be assigned to the Sweat trade because Washington added two other picks. The defensible credit is the valuable No. 40 asset and its role as the largest component of that package.
Value in Hindsight
Chicago's realized return and Washington's downstream pick chain both require proportional credit. Sweat became a multi-year starter and productive pass rusher. Washington obtained a high second-round selection and used it as leverage in a broader draft-day trade. Both sides realized meaningful value in different forms.
Final Verdict
Chicago and Washington each receive B, producing an Even Trade verdict. Chicago gets credit for proven, multi-season edge production; Washington gets credit for acquiring and strategically redeploying a valuable No. 40 pick. The evaluation separates the Sweat pick from the extra assets Washington contributed downstream, preserving accurate provenance.