Laiatu Latu believes Bears’ Montez Sweat could help him ‘level up’ as player

The biggest decision of the offseason for the Chicago Bears is what to do at quarterback and how that impacts the No. 1 pick. However, the second biggest decision will be what do what the ninth overall selection.

One player that they might consider is UCLA edge rusher Laiatu Latu, who was amazing at creating pressure on the quarterback in college. Latu is projected to be a top-notch pass rusher once he gets to the NFL, as well.

The Bears are a team that needs help in that department. Their defensive backs and linebackers are very good, but they need to bolster the defensive line to help take this unit to the next level.

That confidence comes from the fact that they traded for Montez Sweat last November, who shored up their pass rush and impacted the entire defense. Sweat’s presence could also help someone like Latu, and he admitted as much during his media session at the NFL Scouting Combine.

“Playing with him, I mean, I can never learn enough about pass rushing,” Latu said Wednesday. “It would be a great opportunity for me to get better and level up.”

UCLA EDGE Laiatu Latu says playing with Bears EDGE Montez Sweat would help him “level up as a player”

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— Harrison Graham (@HGrahamNFL) February 28, 2024

If Latu believes playing with Sweat will help take his game to the next level, the sky is the limit for him because he is already very good.

The fact that Latu is already thinking about what it would be like to play in Chicago is also a good sign. He knows he will be drafted in that range where the Bears are picking at No. 9.

Trading for Sweat was a smart move by general manager Ryan Poles. Not only is he a new pillar of the pass rush in Chicago, but he’ll continue to help elevate those around him.