NFL hits Montez Sweat with news he didn’t want to hear that could avalanche into a massive problem for the Bears’ defense
Chicago Bears defensive end Montez Sweat has been suspended two games by the NFL at the worst time as the team was already hurting with depth off the edge.
I picked a great day apparently to dive into the many issues happening with the Chicago Bears’ defensive line because those issues are only going to get worse.
It was reported on Tuesday that Chicago Bears defensive end Montez Sweat has been suspended for two games by the NFL without pay for violating the league’s Performance-Enhancing Substances Policy.
Sweat will be eligible for reinstatement on Friday, October 23, following the Bears’ Week 6 game against the Atlanta Falcons and the team’s Week 7 game against the New England Patriots. A massive blow to Chicago’s defense that couldn’t have come at a worst time.
Montez Sweat was already off to a pedestrian start to his 2026 season
We don’t know what exactly Sweat was taking to warrant this suspension, but we do know that his play was far from satisfactory over the first five games of the regular season. Sweat has been seemingly invisible this season despite playing 69 percent of the defensive snaps and being the team’s highest-paid player.
It’s gotten to the point where I literally broke down a few hours ago how the Bears should move on from him after the 2026 season, a move that will save the team $21 million in cap space. This two-game suspension will only add to the frustrations the team should have with him right now.
Bears will at least be getting some help back on the defensive line, but the depth is still concerning
Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune noted that the Bears are expected to activate second-year defensive lineman Shemar Turner back to the 53-man roster later this week, a move that was expected prior to this Sweat news. The Bears had until Thursday to activate Turner off the PUP list after opening his 21-day practice window on Sept. 23.
The Bears also have an injury to monitor this week on the defensive line with Dayo Odeyingbo, who left Sunday’s game early with a quad injury. The Bears will hold a walk-through practice on Wednesday with an estimated injury report, so we won’t know for sure about his status until Thursday unless something comes out sooner.
All of this leads to a bigger role for Austin Booker. Herb Howard reported earlier this week that Booker was frustrated with his usage on defense and his eagerness to get more opportunities to produce. He certainly will get plenty of those with Sweat now suspended, Turner making his season debut, and Odeyingbo working through an injury.
As for the rest of the depth off the edge, it’s been non-existent. Outside of Sweat, Booker, and Odeyingbo, the Bears have had two total pressures from the defensive end position, and one of those players abruptly retired in Marcus Davenport. One name to watch this week is Jamree Kromah, who had a strong preseason but has been a healthy inactive on the 53-man roster for each of the five games this season.
