If the Bears defense wasn't already in a bind, this breaking news will surely guarantee that they are now. Montez Sweat has been suspended by the NFL for violating its Performance Enhancing Substances policy. The one-time pro Bowler leaves the Bears headed into a Week 6 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons.
While sources are not revealing what substance he's been suspended over, the finer details are public. He'll be suspended two games without pay, eligible for reinstatement following the Bears Week 7 primetime game against the New England Patriots.
With Sweat out, the Bears defense is in a more precarious position than it already was. With Dayo Odeyingbo out for the time being, and the Bears walking away from a disastrous performance against their most hated rivals, this couldn't have come at a worse time.
Montez Sweat will be eligible for reinstatement on Friday, October 23, following the Bears’ Week 7 game against the New England Patriots. https://t.co/q3dko2S4nw
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 13, 2026
Additionally, Tyrique Stevenson and TJ Edwards also left Sunday's game with injuries, and while the Bears haven't released their injury report yet, things really couldn't look much worse for coordinator Dennis Allen and his defensive unit right now.
Booker has to become the pass rush now
Austin Booker has stepped up in recent games, quietly adding to his totals and posting 5 tackles on Sunday against the Packers. But if Odeyingbo isn't able to go, Booker's share of snaps could very well be going up.
The Bears don't get to feel sorry for themselves, with or without Sweat. Sunday in Atlanta is on the way whether we like it or not, and a defense that just gave up 31 points to the Packers now has to survive two more games without their primary pass rusher. If Austin Booker is so eager for more playing time, now is the time to step up.
The Bears have succeeded in the face of adversity before, but we're talking about Chicago football right now. There's three times as much misery as there is joy. Chicago's season may now hinge on how it weathers the next two games.
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