NFL announced the suspension on Friday of Chicago Bears defensive lineman Mario Edwards for violating the league's performance-enhancing drug (PED) ban.

(Photo : Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

NFL Suspends Bear's Mario Edwards

NFL on Friday announced the two-game suspension of Mario Edwards for violating the league's PED. There are no details on what specific enhancement drug Edwards used but NFL said that Edwards will serve the suspension once he signs a contract, according to Chicago Suntimes.

Edwards is not yet under any contract in the next season but he is expected to have a new team this spring or before the next NFL season begins.

NFL also clarified that Edwards would be able to play games and practice in the preseason.

Moreover, the NFL's suspension of Mario Edwards is not related to his legal issue last fall. It can be remembered that Edwards was accused of assault after an incident that took place at the Bears' team hotel on Oct. 17. This happened a night before the Bears played the Panthers in Charlotte, North Carolina.

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According to Chicago Tribune, the PED violation of Mario Edwards will not help him, as a free agent, find a decent contract.

Even though the veteran defensive lineman performed well this season, his involvement in the said violation would certainly be a factor that other teams will not offer him a contract.

The suspension comes a month after the NFL confirmed it was reviewing an allegation that Edwards was involved in a violent altercation with a woman in October, according to NBC News. It is unclear if Edwards will face an additional suspension for that incident.

NFL Records of Mario Edwards

Mario Edwards played college football at Florida State and was drafted by the Oakland Raiders in the second round of the 2015 NFL Draft. \He has also been a member of the New York Giants and New Orleans Saints. This season, Edwards played under the Chicago Bears.

According to a published sports article in Pro Football Rumors, Edwards played a good amount for the Chicago Bears this season. He notched around 25% of the defensive snaps in a rotational role in 15 games. He also finished the year with 17 tackles, six for a loss, and four sacks to go with one pass defended.

However, it can be remembered that Edwards did not stand out as a rookie then missed almost the entire 2016 season due to injury. In 2017, he started 14 games for the Raiders but was waived before the 2018 NFL campaign started.

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In 2019, Edwards signed a two-year worth $5 million with the Saints after he played one year with the Giants and had three sacks with New Orleans in a similar rotational role. The Chicago Bears picked him and offered him a contract in September.

Meanwhile, there are no NFL teams who express interest to offer a contract to Edwards. But sports analyst said that there might be some contracts that will be offered to him in the upcoming days.