NEW ORLEANS -- Ryan Poles' confidence was not without merit.
Three days after the Chicago Bears general manager expressed optimism in being able to quickly execute an extension for pass-rusher Montez Sweat, the 27-year-old defensive end agreed to a four-year deal worth $98 million less than 24 hours before his debut with his new team.
Chicago sent a 2024 second-round pick to Washington at the Oct. 31 trade deadline in exchange for the former first-round defensive end. The aggressive process of bypassing free agency allowed the Bears to secure Sweat as he enters the prime of his career while making him the fifth-highest paid edge rusher at $24.