The Chicago Bears are producing some great stuff on HBO’s Hard Knocks. One of the most intriguing moments came in the third episode. Cameras caught GM Ryan Poles in the midst of pursuing a trade for Matthew Judon. The four-time Pro Bowl pass rusher was locked in a contract dispute with the New England Patriots. Neither side was budging. It became clear a fresh start was needed for both. Chicago, needing help with their rush, decided to make a play for him. So did the Atlanta Falcons.
Footage shows that New England agreed to the compensation of a 3rd round pick. Poles understood the risks with Judon being 32 years old. However, his season-ending injury last year wasn’t leg-related, which meant he should still have the same explosiveness that made him dangerous for so long. There was one problem. Poles wouldn’t give up a pick that high unless Judon was willing to sign a contract extension. He wasn’t. As a result, the pass rusher ended up going to the Falcons instead.
Poles made the right call with Matthew Judon.
Going after him was an understandable decision. Chicago has depth questions with their pass rush behind Montez Sweat. Judon would’ve been a terrific addition. However, you don’t give up 3rd round pick for one-year rentals. That is irresponsible. He was hoping the contract number presented was enough for the veteran. Clearly, it wasn’t. Nobody knows for sure what kind of money Judon wants. Signs indicate he seeks top pass rusher money despite his age and recent injury history. The Bears tried but were right not to get bullied into anything.
Meanwhile, Atlanta may have landed Matthew Judon, but there has been no word of a contract extension. That means unless something changes, they gave up a 3rd round pick for a one-year rental. They fell into the exact trade the Bears avoided. This is another reminder that Poles is a smart GM. He understood the risks involved and took steps to protect his team. It is okay to be disappointed by not landing Judon. Also be appreciative that the Bears did the responsible thing by knowing when to step away.
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@timgjerde56 —
Fine — Self-concept is thought by some to be the most important factor in achieving success.
Your non-response is as I expected.
@TGena That’s right and you won’t, because I’m not arrogant enough to think I know the future or that I have the expertise to make predictions about anyone’s future. You think you do have that expertise, but I’ve not seen anything to prove that it matters one bit. So, if something has no upside value, I find it and the people who produce it worthless to me. I stick to what I know. I know bullshitters from 22 years of experience with self-righteous boneheads who make a few predictions and feel they have the insight to criticize someone who has… Read more »
@timgjerde56 — And, there you go again — I’m not “proving” anything. Proof of OT, Kiran Amegadjie’s ultimate “talent, proficiency, heart and value” lie ahead — and will embody his NFL career. I am simply stating an opinion today, that drafting an incapacitated, largely inexpefienced, Ivy League, OT at #75 in the NFL Draft is a “perpetual rookie” GM move (and as @Dr. Steven Sallie pointed out, Poles selected Kiran ahead of Tory Taylor and Austin Booker — two players who will actually contribute to the team’s success, this year). If Amegadjie reveals himself as the next Penei Sewell, then… Read more »
@TGena Once again, keep up the great work at justifying being negative and refusing to acknowledge that you can label others’ arguments as hindsight, red herring, and strawman without actually proving anything yourself. All I am saying is simple. Results, what picks did Pace give up for Trubisky? Were they higher picks than Velus Jones Jr. #71, Pace gave up #67, Kiran Amadejie #75 Pace #111, plus their #3 to move one slot. Christian McCaffrey went #8 to Carolina too. How many more players could those draft picks bring if he traded down? Yes, this is a strawman argument, but… Read more »
@timgjerde56 — Once again, you like so many other Erik Lambert avid readers apply your 20/20 hindsight, red herring and strawman arguments. Knowledgeable fans recognize that selecting Trubisky was not off the charts stupid, in real time. I made it clear (at the time) that I wanted Deshaun Watson (Trubisky was not even on my radar; neither was Mahomes). Watson. It turns out, would have been a terrible pick, after a start that was very much like Trubisky’s. when you compare the stats of Mitchell and Allen Robinson with Deshaun and DeAndre Hopkins. But, that’s ancient history. Ryan Poles is… Read more »