Montez Sweat Suspended Two Games by NFL for PED Policy Violation

Chicago Bears defensive end Montez Sweat has been suspended for two games without pay after violating the NFL's performance-enhancing drug policy.

Sweat, in his eighth NFL season and third full year with the Bears, will be absent for the team's Week 6 game against the Atlanta Falcons and their Week 7 matchup with the New England Patriots. He is eligible to be reinstated by the league on October 23.

The specific substance for which Sweat tested positive was not disclosed.

This suspension comes as the Bears are already facing personnel challenges on their defensive line. Defensive end Dayo Odeyingbo left the Bears' recent loss to the Green Bay Packers with a quad injury and did not return to the game. As of Monday, head coach Ben Johnson had not provided an update on Odeyingbo's condition.

The team did activate Shemar Turner from the physically unable to perform list, who had been recovering from a torn ACL sustained in October 2025. However, defensive coordinator Dennis Allen stated it would be unrealistic to expect Turner to handle a significant workload immediately. Turner's addition is unlikely to fully compensate for Sweat's absence.

This season, Sweat has recorded seven tackles and two sacks in the Bears' first five games.