New Orleans, LA. – One day after signing a four-year, $98 million contract extension with the Bears, defensive end Montez Sweat made his debut Sunday in the Bears’ 24-17 loss to the New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome.
Race was relatively quiet in his Bears debut. That’s to be expected for a player who arrived in Chicago on Wednesday with only limited time to learn the playbook and build chemistry with his new teammates.
Race was credited with two tackles and a pass defensed in the loss to New Orleans. The Bears’ new star edge rusher wasn’t pleased with the minimal impact he made against the Saints.
“It wasn’t enough,” Sweat said after the loss. “I’ve got to get out there more. I’ve got to get more production.”
“I was having singles competitions – I need to win them,” Sweet said later. “I’m going to go back to the drawing board, check the film and see what I can do better, moving forward.”
Despite the limited impact, the Bears felt better with the newly acquired star in the lineup.
“It’s always a big boost when you have a guy like that, who’s dominant and can play run and pass,” safety Eddie Jackson said. “I’m pretty sure he has things he wants to do to clean up and work on plays and learn the playbook so he can be with us more. It’s always a boost when you add new talent to the field.”
When Sweat arrived at Halas Hall on Wednesday, he said he would consider everything before signing a long-term deal to stay with the Bears.
But football is a physical game, and long-term protection trumps all.
“It gives me another sense of security for me when I go out there and get injured and know that I’m protected,” Sweat said. “But that’s not what I’m really worried about. I’m worried about getting the dubbing, getting the production.”
The Bears know it will take time to get going in a new scheme with new rushing partners. Defensive line coach Travis Smith worked with Sweat’s old defensive coordinator, Jack Del Rio, so he was quick to help translate the talk into something easier for Sweat to digest.
The Bears’ pass rush had no sacks and two hurries on Sunday in New Orleans. They need Sweat to make rapid progress in adjusting to his new life in the NFL. This is something the 27-year-old believes can happen through hard work on his part.
“It all depends on how much work I put in,” Sweet said. “The amount of studying I spend with the coaches and things like that can happen quickly.”
The Bears need this to be the case.
After Sunday’s loss, they are now 2-7 and averaging just one sack per game.
The Bears acquired Sweat long-term, but both parties know they need to ramp up production quickly with the long-term extension now set.
They are both confident that it will come…it will just take time.
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