Count Montez Sweat among the players intrigued to see where the Bears go with their head coaching search.
“I’ve got to sit back and wait for things to happen, really,” the Bears defensive end said Saturday. “I’m interested in what’s to come. I’m very optimistic. We’ve got good pieces on offense and defense, and I hope we can return some and just build off of that.”
Sweat is invested in the Bears’ future, and vice versa. He’s in the first year of a four-year, $98 million contract extension the Bears gave him after trading the Commanders a second-round pick in the middle of last season.
Sweat finished that year as both the Bears’ and Commanders’ sack leader. This season, though, he has just 4 ½.
“It’s just been a tough year,” he said.
The Bears haven’t won a game in two months. They can be officially eliminated from playoff contention Sunday if the Commanders beat the Saints. They would draft ninth were the season to end this week, and ESPN analytics gives them a 6.1% chance to pick in the top five.
Still, Sweat said he’s focused on finishing the season strong.
“There’s beauty in every group that you’re in, so knowing that I might not see some of these guys next year is tough,” he said. “I’m playing for the guy beside me and putting my resume on tape.”
Jason Lieser contributed.