Bears Star Snubbed From Team's List of Captains for 2024 Season

The Chicago Bears will officially open up the 2024 NFL season at home against the Tennessee Titans on Sunday. It’s a highly anticipated season for the Monsters of the Midway as they have their new franchise QB in Caleb Williams, a revamped offense, and a veteran-led defense. 

However, before the action kicks off on Sunday, the Bears announced their team captains for the regular season on Monday, including a glaring omission on defense. According to The Athletic’s Kevin Fishbain, the eight players were Williams, DJ Moore, Cole Kmet, Marcedes Lewis, Jaylon Johnson, Tremaine Edmunds, T.J. Edwards, and Kevin Byard.

Bears fans weren’t surprised to see the rookie quarterback named as a team captain. But the team giving Byard the captain label over Montez Sweat, who was traded to Chicago late last season and made an immediate impact is shocking.

The 31-year-old Byard was signed by Chicago in free agency to a two-year deal after spending last season with the Tennessee Titans and Philadelphia Eagles. Byard enters this season as the Bears' starting free safety and plays alongside starting strong safety Jaquan Brisker.

Now granted, Byard has stature in the league based on his play in Tennessee, but he has yet to play a regular season snap with the Bears. 

As for Sweat, he signed a massive four-year, $98 million contract extension after being traded to the Windy City. The veteran defensive end immediately made his presence felt as he posted 25 combined tackles, 14 quarterback hits, six sacks, four tackles for loss, and a forced fumble in nine games.

The former first-round pick was the perfect addition to the Bears’ defense and is one of their best players on the unit, especially on the defensive line. That said, Bears fans won’t be upset about Sweat being snubbed, especially if he can produce double-digit sacks this season.

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