Montez Sweat returned to the Chicago Bears on Tuesday after serving a two-game suspension for violating the NFL’s performance-enhancing substance policy.
The suspension came after what Sweat described as an unintentional mistake, and it carried a steep price. According to the report, the ban cost him $2.3 million in base salary and voided the remaining guaranteed money in his contract.
What Sweat said about the suspension
Sweat called the situation devastating and said it is something he will have to live with for the rest of his career. He added that he never wants to cheat the game and said he would not have taken the substance intentionally, but is now trying to move forward.
He also acknowledged the personal and professional weight of the situation, saying nobody wants to look someone in the eye after doing something detrimental to the team. Sweat said he takes everything that comes with it and that the only thing he can do now is look forward and keep playing.
Why it matters for the Bears
The Bears get back a pass rusher who has produced at a good, if not elite, level during his time in Chicago. The team acquired Sweat from the Commanders in 2023 and gave him a four-year, $98 million contract. Since then, he has posted 5.5 sacks in 2024, 10 sacks in 2025, and two sacks in five games in 2026.
For Chicago, Sweat’s return restores an important piece of the defense. For Sweat, it closes one difficult chapter and shifts the focus back to production on the field, where the Bears will need him to keep generating pressure.
