EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsLAKE FOREST, Ill. -- Bears defensive end Montez Sweat said Tuesday that he unintentionally took a banned substance that led to a two-game suspension for violating the NFL's performance enhancing substances policy."It definitely was accidental," Sweat said. "It was a surprise. But you take a lick on the chin and keep moving forward."Sweat, 30, was sidelined for back-to-back wins over the Falcons and Patriots. He was reinstated on Oct. 23, one day after Chicago beat New England, and will return in Week 8 when the Bears play the Seahawks on "Monday Night Football."The defensive end said it was "devastating" to be away from his team and the consequences the suspension will have on his reputation."It's definitely something I got to live with for my career," he said. "I never want to cheat the game, and I would never do it intentionally, but what happened, happened and I'm moving forward."Sweat declined to give specifics about what led to his failed test or when he tested positive while clarifying that there was no wrongdoing by the Bears nutritional or training staff. He said he did not consider appealing the suspension and took "full responsibility" for his actions, though he did not commit to making any specific changes to his regimen to prevent a future positive test."I've been in the league going on Year 8 now," he said. "I haven't wound up with a positive like that before, so I guess I'll just get back to my regular routine now."Sweat is Chicago's highest-paid defensive player after he signed a four-year, $98 million deal ($24.5 million annually) upon being traded to the Bears in 2023. He had a career-high 12.5 sacks that season between his time in Washington and Chicago and recorded his second double-digit sack season (10) in 2025.Coach Ben Johnson characterized Sweat's 2025 campaign as the edge rusher's best season as pro and noted how he felt the defensive end "affecting the quarterback a different type of way." Sweat said it was "tough" to face Johnson after learning of his suspension."Nobody wants to go look someone in the eye after you've done something detrimental like that to the team, but those are things you have to do to move forward," Sweat said.The former first rounder currently ranks fourth on the team with two sacks, seven tackles and two tackles for loss. His suspension also came with a significant financial punishment. Sweat forfeited $2.3 million of his 2026 base salary for missing two games while the remaining $12.7 million he's owed this season and all future guarantees ($21 million in 2027) have been voided."I take everything that comes with it," Sweat said. "The only thing I can do now is just look forward and continue to play."
