Montez Sweat is set to return from a two-game suspension for violating the NFL’s performance-enhancing drug policy and has been reinstated by the Chicago Bears following the team's win over New England.
Sweat speaks on surprise, responsibility and moving forward
Sweat said the positive test came as a surprise and declined to disclose what triggered it. "It was a surprise, but you take a lick on the chin and keep moving forward," he told reporters, apologizing to teammates and the fan base and stressing that he would never intentionally cheat the game.
He acknowledged the incident will be something he "got to live with" for his career and emphasized the need to face the consequences. Sweat described the hardest part of the suspension as the personal confrontation that followed. "Nobody wants to 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," he said.
Beyond the public statements, Sweat made clear he missed the day-to-day of the team. He said he was "happy to be back in the building" and that the locker room environment was what he missed most during his absence.
Availability and immediate impact for the Bears
The Bears went 2-0 while Sweat served the suspension, with victories over the Atlanta Falcons and New England Patriots. Sweat praised the roster's "next-man-up mentality," saying the team did not miss a beat in his absence.
Now back with the squad, Sweat is poised to be active in Week 8 against the Seattle Seahawks. His return restores another option for the Bears’ defensive fronts.
Yardbarker noted the suspension could complicate Sweat’s future with the franchise, adding that the lack of remaining guarantees on his contract makes it easier for the organization to move on if it chooses. That assessment frames the broader consequences beyond the immediate two-game absence.
He reiterated that he would never intentionally cheat and is moving forward: "I never want to cheat the game, and I would never do it intentionally, but what happened happened and I’m moving forward," he said. With reinstatement official, Sweat is poised to be active in Week 8 against the Seattle Seahawks.
