Bears defensive lineman Montez Sweat returns from two-game suspension

Montez Sweat is back on the field for the Chicago Bears.

The defensive lineman spoke to reporters at Halas Hall on Tuesday for the first time since returning from a two-game suspension. He was penalized for violating the NFL’s performance enhancing substances policy. Sweat described the positive test as an accident but acknowledged the lasting impact on his career. "It’s something I’ve got to live with for my career. I never want to cheat the game and I never do it intentionally," he said.

Teammates have welcomed Sweat back, and he focused on accountability during his address. He noted the difficulty of facing teammates after an incident that hurt the team. "Nobody wants to go look someone in the eye after you’ve done something detrimental like that to the team," he said. "Those are the things you have to do to move forward."

Sweat was originally drafted by the Washington Commanders before being traded to Chicago in October 2023. He later signed a four-year contract extension worth $98 million, which includes $72 million in guaranteed money. In parts of four seasons with the Bears, he has recorded 23.5 sacks in 47 games, along with 117 combined tackles and 48 quarterback hits. This season, he has appeared in five games and registered two sacks.

The Bears face pressure to generate quarterback stops as they prepare to play the Seattle Seahawks on Monday Night Football. The opposing team is the defending Super Bowl champion and features quarterback Sam Darnold. The Bears are also navigating the absence of Dayo Odeyingbo, who is currently on injured reserve. Sweat’s return adds depth to a pass rush that has missed key pieces this year.