Perfect Bears Trade Target Clearly Wants to Leave Current Team

The Chicago Bears shockingly didn’t make many moves in the offseason on defense after their improved performance in the second half of the 2023 season. Chicago enters training camp with a stout front seven and one of the better secondaries in the league.

However, the Bears could use another pass rusher on the opposite side of Montez Sweat, and luckily for them, the perfect trade target is available for the right price. Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer was on ESPN 1000 earlier this week and made the case for why the Bears should call the New England Patriots about their disgruntled pass rusher.

"If I were the Bears I would pick up the phone and call Matthew Judon. Here's the thing with the Judon situation. With Judon and New England, they paid Christian Barmore, they paid a lot of other guys who aren't as good as Judon. He's set to make $6.5 million this year. I don't know how far they're going to have to go to make him happy."

- Albert Breer

Breer makes a compelling case that the Patriots have paid everybody this offseason, except Judon, which includes defensive tackle Davon Godchaux, who received a two-year extension on Wednesday.

New England hasn’t found common ground with Judon and his representation as this has been an ongoing saga over the last few weeks. 

However, things came to a fever pitch this week as the veteran pass rusher called out fans on a podcast, got into a heated convo with head coach Jerod Mayo, and called out a report from The Athletic that said New England gave him a contract offer.

The 31-year-old wants a new deal despite only playing four games last season due to injury. But if the Patriots aren’t budging or moving at the pace Judon wants, maybe he will consider a trade request.

At the same time, Judon said at the start of training camp he doesn’t want to be traded. But the Bears could see an opportunity to bolster their defense and be a true contender for the NFC North crown this season.

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