The Chicago Bears will be without one of their top pass-rushers for two weeks.
On Tuesday, the NFL confirmed it suspended Bears defensive end Montez Sweat two games for violating the league’s performance-enhancing substances policy. Chicago (3-2) plays the Atlanta Falcons (2-3) on the road in Week 6 and hosts the New England Patriots (3-2) on “Thursday Night Football” in Week 7.
How Montez Sweat suspension impacts Bears defense
Eighth-year veteran Sweat, a one-time Pro Bowler, isn’t producing elite numbers, but he remains a key member of the Bears pass-rush. Entering Week 6, he ranks third on the team in sacks (two) behind fellow DEs Dayo Odeyingbo (three) and Austin Booker (four). Since Chicago acquired him in a trade with the Washington Commanders in 2023, he has logged 23.5 sacks in 47 games for the NFC North squad, the most on the team during that span.
The Bears list Booker as Sweat’s backup on their depth chart. The third-year pass-rusher’s fast start offsets some concerns about the veteran DE’s suspension. Sports Info Solutions credits him with a career-best 3.9 percent sack rate and a solid 7.8 percent pressure rate.