TJ Edwards on Sweat’s performance: “It’s helping our whole unit” |
CHICAGO - Going into the final stretch of the season, defense will be more important now than ever in a rematch against the Detroit Lions this coming Sunday (Noon / FOX), followed by the Cleveland Browns who have one of the best defenses in the league, games against the Arizona Cardinals and Atlanta Falcons, and finishing the regular season in Lambeau against the Green Bay Packers.
Undoubtedly, linebacker TJ Edwards has been one of the most physical players in the league as he is third in solo tackles (73) and total tackles (127). Especially getting into the colder weather, Edwards argues that it is important for the defense as a unit to be physical and disrupt the opposing offense. “When it gets a little colder, being physical is big. But, I think just going off that pass game, those two-minute drives of being able to create a negative play or for one of us to make a play to kind of get them off their rhythm and things like that,” Edwards said. “That’s all stuff that we looked at and made some adjustments to. So, we’re excited but, it’s a really good football team and we got to be at our best and it’s a pretty good challenge for sure.” One presence that has increased the physicality of the Bears defense is edge rusher Montez Sweat. In the last three games, the Chicago defense has at least two sacks in each game. Further, in the last two games, the defense has generated four turnovers in each contest. Sweat is a player that changes how the opponent’s offense operates and boosts Chicago’s defensive unit. However, Edwards also emphasizes the importance of the secondary holding up to allow Sweat and the rest of the defensive line to get in the backfield. “He’s everything that you thought he was for sure, and I like, I’ve seen him for four years before this. I already knew what type of player he is and the dynamic piece he brings,” Edwards said. “But, honestly, I think having the offense just have to lean some things more toward him, it’s helping our whole unit, and last week, we were able to do a little more rushing cover and things like that, and they were getting pressure easy. So, there’s definitely something good to see, and I think our back end’s done a good job of holding up and making the quarterback hold the ball for a second.” The future of the organization as a whole is greatly in flux. Head coach Matt Eberflus’ future is quite uncertain. Justin Fields continuing to be the quarterback is questionable, especially with the Bears most likely to get the No. 1 overall pick since they have the Carolina Panthers’ first-rounder. Defensively, cornerback Jaylon Johnson still has not received a contract despite other players, like Sweat and Edwards, getting paid. But for the team, the mindset is to stay in the present. “At the end of the day, we’re here to win games, and we’re here to be the best football players we can be, and that’s something we have to do. That is our job. It’s what we’re here for,” Edwards said. “I think our team understands that these are important games, and we know that if we want to do what we got to do, we got to win them, and we’re excited about that. We have the right people in here, the right leaders who understand that and to keep the main thing the main thing.”
