The Chicago Bears haven’t made any significant move to alter their edge rusher situation despite many experts believing they are too thin at the position. Montez Sweat is a star. Nobody disputes that. The problem is they don’t have a definitive #2 guy. DeMarcus Walker is more of a run defender who doubles as an interior rusher. Jacob Martin is a journeyman who has never topped four sacks in a season. Austin Booker has looked promising in early training camp, but he’s a rookie.
Worse still, Martin is already nursing an injury, which eats into their depth even further. It feels like the Bears would be wise to make some sort of move in the near future. Yannick Ngakoue is still available, as is veteran Carl Lawson. However, if the Bears are feeling a little more adventurous, a situation is developing out east that could be exploited. It appears the relationship between the New England Patriots and star pass rusher Matthew Judon continues to sour.
Judon was attending practices but not participating due to a hold-in over a contract dispute. Apparently, new head coach Jerod Mayo asked him to leave, and cameras caught a heated conversation between the two. It is becoming increasingly like the two sides are reaching a point of no return.
While 32 years old, he’s remained one of the most productive pass rushers in the NFL over the past six years. Since 2019, he has collected 47.5 sacks in 68 games. His beef with New England likely stems from the fact they have over $43 million in cap space but aren’t willing to give him some kind of extension. He is in the last year of his current deal. The odds are the team doesn’t want to commit long-term money to an older player who missed 13 games last season with an injury.
As Judon continues voicing his frustrations, the distractions might be reaching a point where the Patriots no longer need the hassle. They could entertain trade offers for him. The Chicago Bears should be interested. Given his previously mentioned age and recent injury history, he wouldn’t cost much. Money will be the big issue. Can the Bears find a financial solution he’d be happy with? GM Ryan Poles has plenty of ways to create the necessary cap space. A two-year extension with an out after one feels like the right play, provided Judon gets some guarantees up front.
A pairing of him and Sweat would put the Bears’ defense in position to be one of the best in the NFL.
