LAKE FOREST, Ill. -- Chicago Bears defensive line coach Travis Smith was walking through a Soldier Field tunnel following his team's win over the Detroit Lions on Dec. 10. As Smith made his way toward a celebratory locker room, defensive end Montez Sweat ran up to his position coach to deliver news he'd waited years to be able to share.
Chicago's defense had battered Lions quarterback Jared Goff all day, and it was Sweat's third straight game with at least one sack. That brought his season total between the Washington Commanders and Chicago to 10, topping double digits for the first time in his career.