Bears were finalists in Matthew Judon sweepstakes before trade to Falcons: Report

Bears were finalists in Matthew Judon sweepstakes before trade to Falcons: Report originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago

Multiple reports confirmed Wednesday evening the Falcons traded a 2025 third-round pick to the Patriots in exchange for edge rusher Matthew Judon, who was undergoing contract disputes in New England.

According to one Bleacher Report’s Jordan Schultz report, the Bears were also heavily interested in Judon. The Bears and Falcons were the two finalists in the Judon sweepstakes.

The Bears’ front office is actively seeking an edge rusher to pair across from Montez Sweat. An opposite-edge rusher has been the team’s most glaring roster gap this offseason. But the Bears haven’t done much to address it.

Most notably, they drafted Austin Booker in the fifth round of the 2024 NFL Draft to give them another body in the room. To his credit, Booker has shined thus far in the offseason, recording 2.5 sacks, two tackles for loss, three quarterback hits and five tackles during the team’s preseason game against the Bills.

But there’s no denying the guaranteed value Judon brings to an NFL roster. Judon has been named a Pro Bowler in four of the last five seasons. He combined for 28 sacks between the 2021-22 seasons. Last season, Judon tore his bicep, leaving him to play in just four games.

Due to contract disputes with the Patriots, Judon has been sitting out of training camp this offseason. Finally, the Patriots maximized what they could get in return for his services, taking on a third-round pick from the Falcons.

According to Adam Schefter, the Falcons were also in the Sweat sweepstakes at the previous NFL trade deadline. The Bears traded a 2024 second-round pick to the Commanders in exchange for Sweat, inking him to a nearly $100 million contract extension upon arrival. The Falcons also reportedly attempted to trade for UCLA’s Laiatu Latu in the draft.

Atlanta has been seeking a pass-rusher for a while, previously trying to trade for Montez Sweat before last…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/bears-were-finalists-matthew-judon-233410768.html

Author : NBC Sports Chicago

Publish date : 2024-08-14 23:59:57

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