Matthew Judon, the New England Patriots pass rusher, has been the subject of trade speculations for months. As speculation grows, oddsmakers believe the Chicago Bears are among the favorites to acquire Judon through trade.
According to Bet Massachusetts, the Seattle Seahawks (16.7%, +500) have the highest probability of trading for Judon. Close after the Seahawks are the Atlanta Falcons (15.4% probability, +550 odds) and the Chicago Bears (15.4% chance, +550 odds), who have the second-best chances of acquiring Judon.
A pass rusher to supplement a unit led by Montez Sweat is one of Chicago’s most pressing needs. Currently, the Bears’ defensive ends room includes Sweat, DeMarcus Walker, Jacob Martin, Dominique Robinson, and Austin Booker.
Adding a player like Judon to rush the other edge opposite Sweat would give the Bears a far more formidable defensive front. But would Bears general manager Ryan Poles consider trading for Judon? That will most likely be determined by a number of factors.
Are the Patriots willing to trade their best defensive player?
Judon told 93.7 WEEI in April that he’d like to eventually work out a deal with the Patriots. “I think with the contract stuff, if it happens it happens,” Judon stated. He further commented: “If we can get a new contract worked out to where I try to end my career in Boston, that’d be great.”
Since then, Judon and the Patriots have been at odds, and neither party appears to be close to reaching an agreement.
Matthew Judon has requested a new contract, and the Patriots have made an offer, according to a source familiar with the matter. But they are not yet close to signing a new contract,” Henry McKenna of Fox Sports wrote on X on July 9.
For his part, Judon isn’t doing anything to dispel trade speculations. On July 3, he uploaded the following unclear gif to X:
With the Patriots far from ready to compete for a title, they would be more inclined to part with Judon, who is in the final year of a four-year, $55 million contract.
According to Bet Massachusetts, “the odds that Judon stays with New England are pretty slim, with the Patriots listed at +1450 to keep him in 2024.”
Would the Chicago Bears be willing to trade for Patriots Edge? Matt Judon?
That is the crucial question. If the experienced defensive end is in good health, it is certainly feasible.
Judon is coming off a serious injury that has cut his 2023 season short. He tore his right biceps in New England’s October 1 game against the Dallas Cowboys. Judon, a four-time Pro Bowler and second-team All-Pro pick in 2022, turns 32 in August, so his health will be a major concern. His age could be another.
Judon appeared in four games and had 94 pass rush snaps last season. According to Pro Football Focus, he recorded 16 total pressures (4.0 sacks, 7 hurries, and 5 quarterback hits). The year before, in his All-Pro 2022 season, he had a career-high 15.5 sacks, as well as 28 quarterback hits, 14 TFLs, and two forced fumbles.
There’s little doubt Judon has an impressive resume, but his age and wage demands may stymie a prospective deal with Chicago. Judon’s 2024 salary is only $6.5 million, so he’ll most certainly look for a contract that pays him more than that every year in the future. Poles may be willing to deal, but again, Judon will need to be fit as a violin.In June, Chris Emma of 670 The Score reported that the Bears “remained open to the possibility of re-signing” Yannick Ngakoue, who played for the team in 2023. With training camp just around the bend (rookies report on July 16), expect a move in the next few weeks – assuming the Bears make one.
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