Current:Home > reviewsBears almost made trade for Matthew Judon; 'Hard Knocks' showcases near-deal -Capital Dream Guides
Bears almost made trade for Matthew Judon; 'Hard Knocks' showcases near-deal
View
Date:2025-04-15 10:27:33
Pairing Matthew Judon in a pass-rushing tandem with Pro Bowl defensive end Montez Sweat seemed enticing to Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles.
Yet, not while mortgaging the Bears' very promising future.
We now know that Judon was traded by the New England Patriots to the Atlanta Falcons last week in exchange for a third-round draft pick. What was revealed on Tuesday night's episode of "Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Chicago Bears" was how close the Bears came to acquiring the four-time Pro Bowl pass rusher.
Judon and the Falcons did not agree to a contract extension before the team agreed to the trade. That was the sticking point with the Bears.
"We believe he would help us get better, just his style," Poles told team president Kevin Warren in a meeting while discussing the potential trade. "We think having the bicep (injury), rather than a lower body injury, he still would play with the same intensity and explosion as he did before. It does come with risk though at 32 (years old)."
All things Bears: Latest Chicago Bears news, schedule, roster, stats, injury updates and more.
Judon is coming off a 2023 season in which he played just four games after suffered a season-ending bicep tear. The Bears wanted a contract extension in place in order for the trade to be consummated – "Our language is basically saying if the contract is not signed then he reverts back to New England," Poles told Bears special advisor Ted Crews.
The trade fell through for the Bears. Poles was left with some introspection – "We try to do a really good job creating parameters that make sense for our club to be successful now, but also down the road" – while his confidants looked at the situation with a glass half full.
In meeting with team director of football administration Matt Feinstein, Poles continued to validate his position on the Judon situation.
"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," Poles said. "But when it comes to losing all flexibility, I don't think that would be smart, even if he has success. Now, if he has 20 sacks or something, it'll make me sick."
The Bears registered just 30 sacks last season, the second-lowest total in the league.
Feinstein looked ahead, with the thought that rookie Austin Booker might one day fill the pass-rushing spot opposite Sweat.
"It's Judon for a (third-round pick) and some significant financial needs," Feinstein said. "We traded a (fourth-round pick) for four years of Austin Booker."
The Bears thought so highly of Booker in the draft process that they traded back into the fifth round to pick the Kansas defensive end. The Bears sent a 2024 fourth-round pick to the Buffalo Bills in order to be able to select Booker.
The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news — fast. Download for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more.
veryGood! (73852)
Related
- California DMV apologizes for license plate that some say mocks Oct. 7 attack on Israel
- China's lunar probe flies a flag on the far side of the moon, sends samples back toward Earth
- Dollar Tree may shed Family Dollar through sale or spinoff
- Clubhouse programs take pressure off overwhelmed Texas mental health hospitals
- 2 killed, 3 injured in shooting at makeshift club in Houston
- Body recovered from rubble after explosion levels house in Chicago suburbs
- Hailey Van Lith, Cameron Brink headline women's 3x3 team for 2024 Paris Olympics
- Alaska father dies in motorcycle crash on memorial run for slain daughter
- Current, future North Carolina governor’s challenge of power
- Dollar General digital coupons: Get promo codes from USA TODAY's coupons page to save money
Ranking
- A Mississippi company is sentenced for mislabeling cheap seafood as premium local fish
- Appeals court halts Trump’s Georgia election case while appeal on Willis disqualification pending
- Georgia’s ruling party introduces draft legislation curtailing LGBTQ+ rights
- Get 50% Off adidas, 60% Off Banana Republic, 20% Off ILIA, 70% Off Wayfair & Today's Best Deals
- 'No Good Deed': Who's the killer in the Netflix comedy? And will there be a Season 2?
- More young people could be tried as adults in North Carolina under bill heading to governor
- Why Kelly Osbourne Says Her Body Is “Pickled From All the Drugs and Alcohol”
- 'America's Got Talent' recap: Simon Cowell breaks Golden Buzzer rule for 'epic' audition
Recommendation
What were Tom Selleck's juicy final 'Blue Bloods' words in Reagan family
TikToker Miranda Derrick Addresses Cult Allegations Made in Dancing for the Devil Docuseries
Environmental groups take first step to sue oil refinery for pollution violations
Amanda Knox’s Slander Conviction Upheld by Italian Court in Meredith Kercher Murder Case
The city of Chicago is ordered to pay nearly $80M for a police chase that killed a 10
Angel Reese ejected after two technical fouls in Chicago Sky loss to New York Liberty
Baby Reindeer Star Jessica Gunning Comes Out as Gay
Prosecutors want Donald Trump to remain under a gag order at least until he’s sentenced July 11