chicago_suntimes
The Chicago Bears will be missing two key defensive linemen when they face the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday. Starting defensive end Montez Sweat has been suspended by the NFL for two games, and fellow starter Dayo Odeyingbo is likely to be sidelined with a quad injury.
Head coach Ben Johnson voiced his frustration on Wednesday, saying, "We're disappointed whenever we lose a player of his caliber for multiple game." He added that Sweat does not intend to appeal the suspension.
Odeyingbo sustained the quad injury in Sunday's game against the Green Bay Packers and is "likely" to miss the Falcons matchup. Johnson said he is uncertain how long Odeyingbo will be out, but the team does not plan to place him on injured reserve.
With both players unavailable, Johnson pointed to Shemar Turner and Austin Booker as the primary candidates to step up. Turner, a 2025 second-round draft pick, was activated from the physically unable-to-perform list on Tuesday.
The NFL suspended Sweat on Tuesday for two games, meaning he will sit out the Bears' visit to the Falcons on Sunday and their home game against the New England Patriots on Oct. 22. The suspension also voided all future guarantees in his contract, which runs through next season, making it financially easy for the Bears to trade or release him at any point.
Bears general manager Ryan Poles acquired Sweat in a 2023 trade with the Washington Commanders, sending a second-round pick in return, and then signed him to a four-year, $98 million contract extension. In 47 regular-season games with Chicago, Sweat has recorded 23.5 sacks, including two this season. He earned Pro Bowl honors in 2023 with a career-high 12.5 sacks, six of which came in nine games for the Bears. Last season, he led the team with 10 sacks, which Johnson described as his best overall season in the NFL.
Key Analysis
The loss of Sweat and Odeyingbo deals a significant blow to the Bears' pass rush. Sweat has been a consistent presence and a Pro Bowl-caliber player, while Odeyingbo was expected to contribute as a starter. Their absence will test the team's depth and could force younger players like Turner and Booker into larger roles. The financial implications of Sweat's suspension also give the Bears flexibility to move on from him if they choose, adding another layer of intrigue to an already challenging situation.
Originally reported by chicago_suntimes.