Montez Sweat’s two-game PED suspension leaves the Bears without their top pass rusher
Sweat will miss Chicago’s next two games, against Atlanta and New England
The NFL has suspended Chicago Bears defensive end Montez Sweat for two games without pay for violating its policy on performance-enhancing substances. The league announced the discipline Tuesday but did not identify a substance or explain the specific conduct behind the violation.
Sweat is set to miss Sunday’s game against the Atlanta Falcons and next Thursday night’s matchup with the New England Patriots. He is expected to be eligible for reinstatement on Friday, October 23, after serving the suspension.
What is known about the violation
The NFL has not said what triggered the case, whether it involved a test result or another violation of the policy, or what substance may have been involved. The league’s 2026 policy sets a two-game suspension for a first positive test involving a stimulant, diuretic or masking agent, among other provisions. That penalty alone does not establish which rule applied to Sweat.
The policy is administered by an independent administrator, who oversees testing and can certify violations for disciplinary action. The league’s announcement provided no further details about Sweat’s case, and no public explanation from the player was included in the reports available Tuesday.
The suspension is a significant loss for Chicago’s pass rush. Sweat has recorded two sacks in five games this season. He joined the Bears in a 2023 trade with Washington and went on to lead Chicago with 10 sacks last season.
