The Chicago Bears have set their 2026 defense up in a way that is completely reliant on one player to perform at the expected levels. Looking at the Chicago depth chart, there is no way around the fact that without a big season from Montez Sweat, the Bears are in trouble. The star pass rusher is coming off a great 2025 season, offering double-digit sacks and being a consistent presence off the edge. There isn't any reason to believe that this is going to change, but the level of reliance on Sweat is noteworthy as we are days away from training camp.
Looking at Chicago's options after Sweat, the team is counting on a leap from Austin Booker and hoping that another surprise contributor emerges. This explains why the franchise has been pointed to as a potential landing spot for Josh Sweat or Maxx Crosby if either star edge rusher were to be traded over the next few months.
Moves that both appear less likely as we near training camp, and both teams appear content to sit on their stars. With this in mind, there is far more riding on the shoulders of Montez than many fans might realize when the season finally kicks off.
Bears Have Put Incredible Pressure on Montez Sweat Ahead of 2026 Season
If Sweat fails to deliver up to expectations, you're putting incredible pressure on your secondary and dumping the responsibility of the season on Ben Johnson's offense. For this to be a team capable of making a Super Bowl run, Sweat either has to put together a great season, or the Bears need to add a more consistent level of help alongside the veteran.
No matter how it plays out, it is an overlooked piece of the offseason as the team nears training camp. Perhaps it is simply a chance for Chicago to evaluate its young pieces with plans to bring in reinforcements if the current group underwhelms at the end of the summer.
While this would be a welcome decision, it doesn't take away from the fact that as things currently stand there is a lot of pressure on Sweat. Pressure to be the star edge rushing presence that gives Chicago a consistent chance to get off the field nad put the ball back into the hands of Williams.
This is an incredibly important piece of Chicago's story heading towards the 2026 season. One that fans should be keeping an incredibly close eye on hoping both for a big season from Sweat, and perhaps one last notable addition to the depth chart.
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