Montez Sweat pays tribute to victims of Apalachee shooting

Bears defensive end Montez Sweat put the excitement about the season opener and the Bears’ promising 2024 season into perspective Thursday, opening his weekly press conference by acknowledging the tragic shooting at Apalachee High School in Winder, Ga. — 33 miles from Stone Mountain, where Sweat attended Stephenson High School. Two students and two teachers were killed and nine people were injured in the shooting at Apalachee.

“I want to start off this presser by giving my prayers and condolences to everybody impacted at the shooting in Apalachee High School,” Sweat said. “It’s between Atlanta and Athens, close to where I’m from and my thoughts and prayers are with them.”

Sweat will be starting his sixth NFL season. A year ago, he was in a little bit of flux with the Commanders. He was traded to the Bears at midseason and ended up leading both teams in sacks — 6 1/2 in eight games with the Commanders and six in nine games with the Bears — and made the Pro Bowl for the first time.

Now he has a long-term contract — a four-year, $98 million deal he signed just after joining the Bears on Oct. 31. And he is fully integrated into coach Matt Eberflus’ system after a full offseason and training camp with the Bears. At 28, he’s primed for a big season, perhaps an even bigger one than 2023.

“I’m a lot more comfortable than I was last year coming in, just knowing the defense and knowing where I can play in different positions across the line,” said Sweat, who was limited in practice Thursday but is expected to start against the Titans on Sunday at Soldier Field. “A lot more comfortable.”

But Sweat, who played Pro Bowl defensive end Chase Young and Pro Bowl defensive tackles Daron Payne and Jonathan Allen with the Redskins, knows he can’t do it alone. The Bears have been searching for pass rush help. They tried to trade for former Patriots edge rusher Matthew Judon (who went the Falcons) and acquired Seahawks defensive end Darrell Taylor for a sixth-round draft pick last week.

Whether it’s Taylor, DeMarcus Walker, Dominique Robinson or rookie Austin Booker — or second-year defensive tackle Gervon Dexter — the Bears need a supporting pass rusher to free up Sweat. Walker, the starting end opposite Sweat, was limited in practice Thursday with a groin injury. .

“It’s very important,” Sweat said. “A one-two punch on the other side definitely complements the rush a lot. It takes chippers off me. Sometimes it brings more attention. It might created more one-on-ones for me or him. So it’s something that’s needed.”

Injury report

Tight end Marcedes Lewis (rest) was the only player who did not practice Thursday. Six players were limited: wide receiver Keenan Allen (heel), Walker (groin), Sweat (toe), defensive tackle Zacch Pickens (groin), running back Roschon Johnson (toe) and offensive tackle Kiran Amegadjie (quad/oblique).

Center/guard Ryan Bates, who was limited on Wednesday, had full participation Thursday.

Williams honored

Bears quarterback Caleb Williams was immortalized by his alma mater on Thursday when USC announced it was retiring his jersey No. 13.

The number will be posted in the peristyle at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum next to that of Reggie Bush, another one of the Trojans' eight Heisman Trophy winners. Bush was given his Heisman Trophy back in April, years after being sanctioned by the NCAA. Williams is their most recent winner, having done so in 2022.

McMichael HOF honor

The family of Bears Hall of Fame defensive tackle Steve McMichael will receive his Hall of Fame Ring of Excellence at a halftime ceremony during the Bears’ season opener against the Titans on Sunday at Soldier Field. McMichael will be represented by his wife, Misty, at the ceremony.