CHI Montez Sweat
NFL defensive end. Position: DE. Team: Chicago Bears.
Quick Facts
- Position: DE (Defensive End)
- Team: CHI (Chicago Bears)
- Role: Primary edge rusher
2026 Outlook
Montez Sweat is the lone established edge rusher on the Bears' roster heading into 2026, making his durability critical to the defense's success. The Bears finished tied for the seventh-fewest sacks in the NFL last season, indicating the need for consistent pass-rush production. Sweat's presence will be crucial as the Bears work to develop backup edge rushers like Austin Booker and Dayo Odeyingbo. Sweat remains a consistent producer and is expected to anchor the Bears' edge rush rotation in 2026 (per Bears' Braxton Jones, Montez Sweat Expected to Miss Time But Avoided Serious Injuries). GM Ryan Poles is actively seeking to acquire additional edge rusher reinforcements and may pursue a trade before the November deadline, with Sweat serving as the anchor to any defensive line overhaul (per NFL Rumors: Chicago Bears GM Still Eyeing Big Trade Early in 2026 Season).
A two-game suspension in Week 6 for PED violation will sideline Sweat during critical contests against the Falcons and Patriots, forcing the Bears to lean on depth behind him (per NFL suspends Bears DE Montez Sweat 2 games for violating the league's PED policy).
Role / Depth Chart
Starting edge rusher. Part of Bears' edge rush rotation with Dayo Odeyingbo and Austin Booker backing up.
Injury Status
August 6-9 training camp injury — minor, day-to-week: Sweat left Thursday's practice early with an undisclosed injury and missed Saturday's practice on Day 9 of training camp. Head coach Ben Johnson stated the injury is not serious and expects Sweat to return day-to-week. Johnson expressed optimism about Sweat's availability, saying "Hopefully we get them back sooner rather than later" (per Bears' Braxton Jones, Montez Sweat Expected to Miss Time But Avoided Serious Injuries).
Recent News
- 2026-10-13 — Bears' Montez Sweat suspended 2 games for violating NFL's performance-enhancing drug... (Bears' Montez Sweat suspended 2 games for violating NFL's performance-enhancing drug...)
- 2026-10-13 — NFL suspends Bears DE Montez Sweat 2 games for violating the league's PED policy (NFL suspends Bears DE Montez Sweat 2 games for violating the league's PED policy)
- 2026-10-13 — Bears DE Montez Sweat suspended two games for violating NFL's PED policy (Bears DE Montez Sweat suspended two games for violating NFL's PED policy)
- 2026-10-13 — Bears' Montez Sweat suspended for violating NFL's performance-enhancing substances policy (Bears' Montez Sweat suspended for violating NFL's performance-enhancing substances policy)
- 2026-08-09 — Bears' Braxton Jones, Montez Sweat Expected to Miss Time But Avoided Serious Injuries (Bears' Braxton Jones, Montez Sweat Expected to Miss Time But Avoided Serious Injuries)
Open Questions
- Will Sweat remain the Bears' primary edge rusher, or will Dayo Odeyingbo or Austin Booker emerge as co-producers?