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Bears Lose $98M Pass Rusher After 2 Game Suspension
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- Bears Lose $98M Pass Rusher After 2 Game Suspension
Joseph Maiorana-Imagn Images
The Chicago Bears took a hard hit on Tuesday. Their top pass rusher, Montez Sweat, will sit out the next two games. This news breaks just days after a rough loss to the Green Bay Packers. According to Heavy.com , Sweat was suspended for violating the NFL's Performance-Enhancing Substances Policy. The league does not play favorites, even for big contracts. The Bears paid him $98 million to be their leader on the edge. Now he will miss the Sunday game at Atlanta and the Thursday match against New England.
Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune confirmed the details on social media. He posted a clear message about the situation. "#Bears DE Montez Sweat has been suspended for the next 2 games for violating the NFL's Performance-Enhancing Substances Policy," Biggs posted on X. The team has to move forward without him. DE Shamar Turner was likely going to play soon anyway, but now the timeline shifts. This is a bad look for a player who cost the team a second-round pick just a few years ago.
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Booker Steps Into the Spotlight
One player might actually welcome this bad news. Austin Booker has been asking for more snaps for weeks. He was not happy with his limited role early in the season. Herb Howard of The Score reported on the tension before the Jets game. "Two days before the #Jets game, #Bears DE Austin Booker expressed to me that he wasn't happy with his role on the team," Howard posted on X. Booker wanted more chances to show what he can do. The team gave him those chances in the last two games.
The results speak for themselves. In the games since he voiced his frustration, Booker has recorded three sacks and four tackles for loss. He played 72 percent of the defensive snaps against Green Bay. He finished that game with two sacks, three tackles for loss, and a forced fumble. "When the snap count goes up, the production goes up," Booker said. Now that Sweat is gone, Booker gets the rest of the snaps he asked for. The coaching staff has to decide if they keep riding him.
Team Focus Shifts to Atlanta
The Bears are 3-2 and need to win to stay in the playoff hunt. They face the Atlanta Falcons this Sunday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The defense cannot afford to lose another edge rusher. They also have to deal with a distraction from the sideline. Kicker Cairo Santos got in trouble for trying to trip a Packers receiver.
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That incident drew heat from fans and the media. Matthew Golden, the receiver involved, said he would not comment on the incident. "It's all good. I ain't got nothing to say to him," Golden said after the game. But the team needs to focus on the field now.
Montez Sweat's absence creates a huge hole in the front line. The Bears must find a way to pressure the quarterback without him. Austin Booker has shown he can get the job done when he plays.
