Chicago Bears edge rusher Montez Sweat was suspended for performance-enhancing drugs. He will forfeit his salary for the next two games due to the suspension. However, more than that, the rest of his contract is now non-guaranteed, according to Spotrac.
Chicago Bears could cut Montez Sweat after 2026
The biggest note from the report is that the 2027 salary is not guaranteed. So, the Bears could release Sweat after the season and save over $20M. It brings up a tough decision.
#Bears DE Montez Sweat will forfeit $2.3M of 2026 salary per his 2-game suspension for violating the league's PED policy.
— Spotrac (@spotrac) October 14, 2026
Additionally, the $12.7M remaining on Sweat's 2026 salary is now unsecured, as the PED suspension voided all future guarantees.
Sweat is due a…
On one hand, it is a no-brainer to cut him. While Sweat has been good for the Bears, he has not quite been the impact player they need. The defense is still a weakness, and the edge rusher room is most of the reason why. Saving $20M on a player who is getting older, not having a great year, using performance-enhancing drugs, and not leading the room makes a lot of sense.
On the other hand, if the edge rusher room is a weakness, and Sweat is the best rusher they have, it is going to be even harder to turn it into a strength without Sweat. Boye Mafe signed for $20M per year in free agency this offseason.
Odafe Oweh is making $24M now. Mafe has 20 sacks since 2023; Oweh has 24.5 sacks. Sweat has 30 in that same span. He is older than them, and his production moving forward is more questionable. But he is a better rusher and is getting paid at the same rate. So, it is not some great move for the Bears to move on from Sweat. They would likely get stuck paying someone else who is not as good.
Or, they would sign two players not nearly as good for his salary combined. If the Bears could trade Sweat, they could also clear his salary. They could use a pick on an edge rusher. If they can get an edge rusher similar to Sweat in a deal on a rookie salary, it is another easy decision to make.
However, what team is trading the type of pick to get a quality edge rusher for Sweat when he has one year left on his deal? He would have to finish the season strong.
While it is notable that the Bears could cut Sweat after the season, they are most likely not going to.
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