With only two wins in their first eight games of the 2023 NFL season, most assumed that if the Chicago Bears were going to make any moves before the league’s trade deadline this past Tuesday, it would involve them sending players elsewhere to acquire draft assets for the future.
But, apparently, the Bears had other plans, as they decided to make a trade with the Washington Commanders to acquire veteran pass rusher Montez Sweat.
In order to land Sweat, Chicago had to send the Commanders a second-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Rightfully so, some have questioned the Bears’ decision to give up a second-round draft selection for a player whose contract expires in 2024, given the current state of the franchise.
Former NFL general manager Michael Lombardi is among those who didn’t agree with Chicago’s decision to trade for Sweat on Tuesday, and he recently shared why on “The Pat McAfee Show” (via Pat McAfee on Twitter).
“That was the dumbest trade you could possibly make. I don’t care what [Chicago GM] Ryan Poles tries to defend it with, he should not have done that.”
"Money talks and if you put enough money in front of a player you're gonna get him..
Montez Sweat is a great player but Ryan Poles shouldn't have traded for him..
I'm not a Chicago hater I'm a dumb hater and I hate dumb decisions" ~ @mlombardiNFL #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/yKmqD5V82Q
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) November 2, 2023
Lombardi also mentioned that he isn’t buying the strategy that Chicago claims they are using by trading for Sweat before he reaches free agency in 2024 to make sure they can sign him to a multi-year contract before anyone else.
Sweat is a solid player and a talented pass rusher, but he’s averaged under eight sacks per season since entering the NFL in 2019.
That doesn’t seem like enough production to justify the decision to give up a high second-round draft pick to acquire him, but clearly, the Bears felt differently.
Apparently, Chicago’s front office doesn’t want their players to feel like they’re the only ones making poor decisions this season.
NEXT: Former NFL Player Defends Struggling QB Against Criticism
