Bears News: Sweat on Booker and Williams, finding another pass rusher |
CHICAGO - Edge rusher Montez Sweat is in the process of finishing his first training camp as a Chicago Bear after being traded from the Washington Commanders to the Bears mid-season last year.
Training camp has allowed Sweat to learn the defensive scheme in a way he was not able to last season. “I feel like every training camp is different. But, this training camp is my first training camp in this defense,” Sweat said. “(It) has just allowed me a chance to really hone in on the defense instead of last year and I was just coming in, just being thrown in the pot and kind of just having a role. So, the role of this training camp is really learning the defense. But, you get better every year, learn new techniques and all that type of stuff. So, it’s been helpful.” Sweat’s presence at training camp has also been beneficial for rookie defensive lineman Austin Booker, who Chicago drafted in the fifth round. Booker has minimal collegiate starting experience, but that has not shown in camp thus far, as Sweat has noticed the rookie learning and developing his craft. “Just a tremendous talent, really light years ahead of where a rookie should be. But, I’m excited for the year, what he brings to the table,” Sweat said. “He’s starting to notice how guys like to block him. He’s trying out new moves and he’s just learning the defense and learning how to move faster within it. So, real big leaps from him.” Chicago’s defense did not change nearly as much as the offense in the offseason. So, most of the defense players have already built chemistry and bonded. Nonetheless, there has been some talk that the Bears should consider adding another pass rusher on the other side of Sweat. However, Sweat does not believe that is necessary. “A roster can always be updated and those types of things. But I’m very comfortable with the guys that we have in the room,” Sweat said. “We hold each other accountable, and we feed off of that.” Offensively, all of the skill positions have been revamped. At quarterback is rookie Caleb Williams. Head coach Matt Eberflus took Sweat out of practice for making contact with Williams earlier in camp. While he went a little too far on that play, he has made it his mission to go after the rookie to ensure his comfort under pressure. “He needs those looks. He needs to feel that pressure. So, I provide that for him … “He’s talented. He’s just a very talented QB … He’s a leader of men and I’m looking forward to seeing him lead this football team,” Sweat said. “Definitely showed him what an NFL defense looks like. I feel like we’re definitely one of the top defenses in the league. So, I feel like that’s a great experience for him. But, he’s taking it head-on. I see him getting better and better everyday. It’s kind of scary.” One of the pieces that has stayed the same is right tackle Darnell Wright, who made his NFL debut last season. As a rookie, he played in all 17 games and showed many positive signs of developing into a solid starter. When Sweat was still with the Commanders, he went against Wright a little during Chicago’s victory over Washington. “Darnell is (an) amazing tackle. Last year, I remember (Washington) played Chicago. I had got a little piece of him, and I was really impressed when I saw him then,” Sweat said. “But as far as this year, I feel like everybody is getting better from day to day. But this year, he’s come to me a lot more, we’re talking a lot more and all those types of things. So, he’s definitely moving in the right direction.” Most of the starters, including Williams and Sweat, will not play in Chicago’s preseason finale against the Kansas City Chiefs on Thursday, Aug. 22 (7:20 p.m. / FOX 32 or NFL Network). So, Bears fans will not see them again until the regular season opener against the Tennessee Titans on Sunday, Sept. 8 (noon/FOX).
