At the trade deadline, the Falcons had’sights set’ on former Commanders DE Sweat.
According to ESPN, the Atlanta Falcons pursued former Washington Commanders defensive end Montez Sweat before the trade deadline on Tuesday. Sweat was dealt to the Chicago Bears in exchange for a 2024 second-round draught selection, which is currently ranked 37th overall.
Prior to the Bears’ aggressive offer, Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot had his sights set on Sweat and intended to work on a contract extension with the pending free agent. “Atlanta had its sights set on Sweat, but Washington went with Chicago’s offer,” the report said. “As a result, the Falcons were left without much-needed pass-rush help.” And, according to my understanding, Atlanta was eager to extend Sweat’s contract as part of the agreement, and Sweat desired to return to Atlanta, where he has relatives. “Everything fell through.”
Sweat, 27, has 10 tackles for loss, six and a half sacks, and 11 quarterback hits through eight games this season. In five games, he has at least one sack.
Following Grady Jarrett’s season-ending ACL tear in Sunday’s 28-23 loss to the Tennessee Titans, Atlanta quickly moved for another inside defender in Kentavius Street, sending a 2024 sixth-round pick to the Philadelphia Eagles. Jarrett is tied for second on the Falcons in quarterback hits with eight, leaving a significant vacuum in Atlanta’s pass rush, which has 56 hits and 15 sacks as a squad.
Evidently, Fontenot and his team believed Sweat could cover that vacuum in the present while also acting as a critical piece in the future… but it wasn’t to be.
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