NFL suspends Bears DE Montez Sweat two games for violating performance-enhancing substances policy

Chicago Bears defensive end Montez Sweat has been suspended two games without pay for violating the NFL’s Performance-Enhancing Substances Policy, the league announced Tuesday.

Adam Schefter reported the penalty, and Ian Rapoport confirmed that Sweat will miss the club’s next two games under the policy.

Sweat will sit out Sunday’s road game against the Atlanta Falcons and the Week 7 Thursday night home game against the New England Patriots. He is eligible for reinstatement on Friday, October 23, after the Patriots game. His first chance to return would be Chicago’s Monday night trip to Seattle on November 2.

The NFL did not release further details about the substance or the test that triggered the ban. Sweat will not be paid during the suspension.

What it means for Chicago’s pass rush

Sweat has seven tackles and two sacks through five games and remains a cornerstone of a thin edge group. Dayo Odeyingbo and Austin Booker are the primary options to absorb his snaps; Odeyingbo’s availability is a question after he left Sunday’s loss to Green Bay with a quad injury. Booker leads the team in sacks, quarterback hits and tackles for loss while coming off the bench in every game so far.

Sweat has missed only one game since Chicago acquired him from Washington in 2023. He led the Bears in sacks last season and earned a Pro Bowl nod in 2023, the year he finished the season in Chicago.

What comes next

The Bears are 3-2 entering the Falcons game. Sweat’s reinstatement window opens October 23, and the Seahawks visit remains the first realistic return date on the schedule.