Bears DE Montez Sweat 'interested in what's to come' after 'tough year'

Count defensive end 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,’’ Sweat 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 acquiring him from the Commanders for a second-round draft pick in the middle of last season.

Sweat finished the 2023 season as the sack leader for both teams. This season, however, he has only 4½.

‘‘It’s just been a tough year,’’ he said.

The Bears haven’t won a game in two months and officially will be eliminated from playoff contention if the Commanders beat the Saints on Sunday. They would draft ninth next spring 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 résumé on tape.’’

Contributing: Jason Lieser