The Chicago Bears came so close this week to solving their last big roster concern. It had been known for months that the team needed a second pass rusher to pair with Montez Sweat. Yannick Ngakoue was gone. They still aren’t sure about Gervon Dexter. DeMarcus Walker is a better run defender. Their best option at the moment appears to be Austin Booker, a rookie 5th round pick. So, one can understand when word leaked that the Bears had made a determined push to trade for Matthew Judon.
Though 32 years old and having missed 13 games last season, the four-time Pro Bowler has been one of the best pass rushers in the NFL for the past half decade. He had four sacks in four games last season before he got hurt. If he were healthy, he’d be an instant upgrade over anything the Bears have outside of Sweat. Unfortunately, the deal didn’t come together. Judon ended up going to the Atlanta Falcons. What happened?
Former Falcons GM Scott Pioli is a friend of Ryan Poles and was actually in Halas Hall when the negotiations were happening. He shared key details of the process. Ultimately, he believes it came down to the contract Judon wanted.
Wanting new money is what started the Matthew Judon saga.
He’d been in a contract standoff with New England for months. While it isn’t clear exactly how much he wanted, it’s relatively certain it was in the upper tier of pass rushers. If we’re talking top-10 range, that is at least $22 million per year. Giving that to a player on the back side of his career coming off a major injury isn’t smart business for an organization. It appears Poles recognized that and decided to back off. The Bears GM has a reputation for having a price ceiling, and he won’t go over it with certain players. Pioli confirmed that here.
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Matthew Judon would’ve been a capable addition to the Bears’ defense. Unfortunately, the team didn’t want to bog down their long-term finances with somebody they couldn’t trust to stay healthy and productive for two or three more years. Atlanta’s front office is on the hot seat. They need to win now. Paying Judon is something they’re prepared to do. That is how the NFL is sometimes. Chicago will have to turn their search for help elsewhere. It is evident they’re willing to be aggressive. All they need is the right opportunity.
So did Ryan Pace have anything to do with the Signing of a potential Injury list player who’s on the downside of a Career? Thanks Ryan, another Team that potentially wasted their $$$$$!!
I have also read out there that the deal was basically exactly the same for the compensation. Evidently, The Patriots were convinced that AtL will have a worse record than the Bears, thus giving them a higher pick in the 3rd rd than the Bears would. Unless
injuries hit, you can bank on the Bears having a better record than the Falcons. Rendering the Bears compensation, not as valuable as Atlanta’s.
Prudent decision or damage control?
There is NO WAY I am paying a 3rd round pick AND a big new contract for a 32 year old who missed 13 games last year. Good for Poles saying , ‘NO THANKS!”
Sometimes the best deals you make are the ones you don’t. Have faith in the young guys. Let youth be served.