Chicago Bears INTEREST in Free Agent pass rusher Matthew Judon

Chicago Bears INTEREST in Free Agent pass rusher Matthew Judon

[Music] Today we’re talking about Chicago Bears free agent rumors. Are the Bears interested in Pro Bowl edge rusher Matthew Judon? Savvy fans will remember that Ryan Poles attempted to trade for Matthew Judon just before the trade deadline last year, but he lost the bidding war to the Atlanta Falcons. But the fact that we tried to trade for him confirms that our general manager is at least interested in the veteran pass rusher. On top of that, a recent report from Albert Brerier has rehashed a couple of free agents that he believes could be linked to the Chicago Bears. He mentioned running back Jamal Williams along with edge rushers Matthew Judon and Zadarius Smith. I’ve talked about all three players this off season. Jamal Williams led the NFL in rushing TDs less than three years ago with Ben Johnson as his offensive coordinator. He rushed for 17 touchdowns that year, but he’s never ran for more than four in any other season in the NFL. He has eight total years in the league and he’s only scored two total touchdowns since he led the NFL in 2022. He spent his last two years in New Orleans and he wasn’t given much opportunity. Now 30 years old, his best football might be behind him, but he does offer some intrigue as a guy who could pair with DeAndre Swift and be a viable short yardage goal lineback. The problem is we have two guys already on the roster that might be better suited for the job. So I think the odds are low on this one and right now it seems like the Bears are happy letting Roshan Johnson and rookie Kyle Manungai battle for that running back two spot. Both players would also complement DeAndre Swift very well as they profile his short yardage goal line type backs. Next up is Zadarius Smith. He’s actually suited up for every team in the NFC North except the Chicago Bears. He made two Pro Bowls with the Packers in 2019 and 2020 and a third with the Vikings in 2022. He spent 2023 and 2024 with the Browns before finishing last year with Detroit. He had nine sacks last year and 10 in 2022, so he still has a little bit of something left in the tank. He’s a 32-year-old veteran pass rusher who will probably get signed by someone before the season starts. He can help as a situational pass rusher, but again, I think this is very unlikely. Then we get to Matthew Judon, the one guy I think we could potentially sign. He’s a talented edge rusher who went to four straight Pro Bowls from 2019 to 2022. In 2023, his season started just like normal. He had four sacks over the first four games of the season with just two starts, but he tore his bicep in week four and missed the rest of the season. He ended up getting traded to the Falcons last year and he did not seem like the same player statistically. After finishing his last two full seasons with 12 and a half and 15 and a half sacks, Judon was held to just 5 a half in 2024. Some believe his play has fallen off, which is why he still remains a free agent. He did turn 32 years old and he’s coming back from a season ending injury. But watching his film last year and it’s possible that Judon was not used correctly in Atlanta. In fact, he recently said so himself. During a radio interview, Matthew Judon was asked if the Falcons used him the right way and he responded, “Hell no. Go look at the film.” Judon also added that he thinks he dropped into coverage on 60% of the plays and he was not allowed to pin his ears back and get after quarterbacks like he had done most of his career. Maybe, just maybe, Judon regrets his decision to choose the Falcons over the Bears. I think he would have gotten more sacks if he would have gotten traded to Chicago, but maybe Ryan Ples is still interested in this veteran pass rusher. However, it is important to remember we’re not running the same defensive scheme as we were last year. Just because Poles was interested in Judon for Matt Eberfloose’s defense does not mean that Dennis Allen is interested in the same player. Yes, I do believe that Judon would be a pretty good fit here. But after switching defensive schemes and the fact that we signed Dio Odango over Matthew Judon all lead me to believe that we are not going to sign him. on top of the fact that he only had five and a half sacks last year and it’s definitely possible that Ryan Poles is no longer interested in adding him to the roster. All in all, Judon’s going to be 33 years old and he’s probably not the same player he was during his Pro Bowl seasons. However, there is hope that going on two years removed from his torn bicep and getting into a defense that would allow him to rush the passer more, I think he could at least be an eight sack a year a guy and he could help this defense. But the interest would have to be mutual here. We will not overpay this guy. But if he would take a veteran minimum or maybe something under 5 million a season, I think he would be a great fit for the Bears. But right now, like I’ve said since the draft, I think the Bears are set to enter training camp status quo and not add any more players before camp. They could potentially add a player when someone struggles or gets injured, but right now I do not expect the Bears to sign any big names before training camp, but we’re less than two weeks away from camp. And once we get to camp, then it’s possible we could sign someone. The coaches will then evaluate the roster, see what talent they have, and find potential holes that need filled. Now, while we might not be signing any free agents from now till training camp, there is a watch. Every day, the clock is ticking. When is Ryan Ples going to get these rookies signed? We’re less than two weeks away from camp and still there’s been no news on any second round pick signings. So, this is something to keep an eye on. We still have three second round picks. I’m still very optimistic that we’re going to get all three of them signed and into camp on time, but we need to get those guys signed. If we did sign a free agent, however, I believe that Matthew Judon is the one guy who’s probably the most realistic name out there. Let me know your thoughts on Matthew Judon or if you think the Bears could sign any potential free agents. Please remember to hit that like button for me. Stay tuned and until next time, bear down. Down. Down.

#nfl #chicagobears #bears
Bears Free Agent Rumors @ChicagoBears
Matthew Judon, Jamal Williams and Za’Darius Smith all linked to bears by Albert Breer

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