
The Chicago Bears were on the verge of acquiring star pass rusher Matthew Judon from the New England Patriots in exchange for a third-round pick. The deal was contingent upon finalizing a contract extension with Judon. However, negotiations stalled, and the Bears were unable to secure the extension, leading to the collapse of the trade. Subsequently, the Patriots traded Judon to the Atlanta Falcons, who accepted the deal without requiring an immediate extension. citeturn0news9
Bears General Manager Ryan Poles expressed his disappointment over the missed opportunity, acknowledging Judon’s potential impact on the team’s defense. He emphasized the importance of maintaining financial flexibility and adhering to the organization’s strategic parameters. Poles stated, “I’m tormenting myself, but if you have your own guardrails that we put up to help us stay in the lane—we surely pressed up against them to acquire the player. But when it comes to losing all flexibility, like I don’t think that would be smart, even if he has success. Now, … .” citeturn0news9
The Bears have been actively seeking to bolster their pass rush, especially after ranking near the bottom of the league in sacks last season. Prior to the attempted Judon trade, Chicago acquired defensive end Montez Sweat from the Washington Commanders and secured him with a contract extension. Additionally, the team traded a 2025 sixth-round pick to the Seattle Seahawks for edge rusher Darrell Taylor, further strengthening their defensive front. citeturn0search6
Despite the setback with Judon, the Bears remain committed to enhancing their defense while maintaining financial prudence. Poles’ approach reflects a balance between aggressive talent acquisition and long-term organizational stability. As the team prepares for the upcoming season, the focus will be on integrating new additions and optimizing their defensive strategies to improve performance.
navlistBears’ Trade for Matthew Judon Falls Through Due to Contract Extension Hurdlesturn0news9