Chicago Bears defensive lineman Montez Sweat has been suspended two games by the NFL for violating the league’s policy on performance-enhancing substances, leaving the team without its leading pass rusher amid a difficult stretch of the season. Sweat, standing 1.98 meters and weighing 122 kilograms, will miss upcoming matchups against the Atlanta Falcons on Oct. 18 and the New England Patriots on Oct. 22, according to league announcements covered by Sportbild.de.
Financial Impact and Contract Implications
Under NFL rules, Sweat will forfeit two eighteenths of his roughly €19 million base salary, amounting to a loss of about €2.1 million for the two missed games. Furthermore, a clause in the collective bargaining agreement between the league and the NFL Players Association voids all future contract guarantees following a suspension. This leaves approximately €11.4 million of his 2026 salary unsecured, alongside his scheduled €19 million salary for 2027. Consequently, the Bears gain the flexibility to release Sweat after the current season without incurring financial penalties.
#Bears DE Montez Sweat has been suspended 2 games for violating the NFL's PED policy.
Performance and Roster Context
The suspension arrives as the Bears attempt to stabilize their defense following a 31-7 defeat to the Green Bay Packers. Sweat joined the NFL in 2019 and has maintained a durable career, missing only one game due to injury across his previous four seasons. During the prior campaign, he led the Chicago roster with 10 sacks. However, his output through the first five games of the current season dipped to two sacks and seven tackles.
Substance Speculation and Online Reaction
The exact substance that triggered the positive test has not been publicly disclosed by league officials. Reporting from NBC indicates that the two-game ban for a first-time offender suggests the substance is not an anabolic steroid, which typically draws a minimum six-game suspension, pointing instead toward stimulants or masking agents. Meanwhile, supporters and critics on social media platforms such as X reacted sharply to the news, highlighting the sudden drop in on-field production.
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