Chicago Bears star Montez Sweat is set to return from his two-game suspension for violating the NFL’s performance-enhancing drug policy.
Sweat, 30, did not disclose what caused his positive test for performance-enhancing drugs and said the result came as a surprise.
"It was a surprise, but you take a lick on the chin and keep moving forward," Sweat said.
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The defensive end apologized to his teammates and the fan base, and said he would never intentionally cheat the game.
"Yeah, it’s definitely something I got to live with my career," Sweat said. "I never want to cheat the game, and I would never do it intentionally, but what happened happened and I’m moving forward."
The most difficult part of the suspension for Sweat may not have been missing two games, but facing Bears coach Ben Johnson.
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"It was tough," Sweat said. "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."
The Bears won both games during Sweat's suspension, defeating the Atlanta Falcons and New England Patriots. Sweat praised the team's "next-man-up mentality," saying it didn't miss a beat without him.
"I’m just happy to be back in the building with my teammates. I think that’s what I missed the most, just being in the locker room around my guys."
The Pro Bowler is in his eighth NFL season and fourth with Chicago. The Bears acquired Sweat from the Washington Commanders midway through the 2023 season. Sweat signed a four-year, $98 million contract extension with Chicago shortly after the trade.
In 4 1/2 seasons with the Commanders, Sweat recorded 35.5 sacks in 67 games. In 47 games with the Bears, Sweat has recorded 23.5 sacks.
In five games this season, Sweat has recorded two sacks. He will return to the lineup when the Bears face the Seattle Seahawks on the road Monday night.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.