The Chicago Bears have been hunting for pass rush help since last season, and now, with the playoffs still within reach, a familiar name is back on the radar: Matthew Judon.
Judon, a four-time Pro Bowler, was nearly a Bear once already. General manager Ryan Poles made a serious push to land him last year when it became clear Judon’s time with the New England Patriots was coming to an end.
Contract issues and a looming rebuild in Foxborough made Judon expendable, and Poles reportedly put a strong offer on the table. But the veteran edge rusher ended up in Atlanta instead, with the Falcons landing him for a third-round pick.
That door may have closed, but now another one has opened.
After a short and turbulent stint with the Miami Dolphins, Judon is back on the market. He signed a one-year deal with Miami in August, hoping to contribute to a playoff run.
Instead, the Dolphins’ season spiraled. GM Chris Grier has already been let go.
Tua Tagovailoa was recently benched. And now, Miami has released Judon, giving him the chance to sign with a contender for the stretch run.
Poles has had his eye on Judon for over a year. If the price is right, this could be the perfect moment to bring him to Chicago.
Let’s be clear: this isn’t the same Judon who terrorized quarterbacks just a few seasons ago. Back in 2022, he was one of the most disruptive forces in football, racking up 17 sacks and 69 pressures.
But that version of Judon hasn’t been seen since a biceps tear in 2023. At 33 years old, it’s fair to wonder how much juice he has left in the tank.
Still, the Bears don’t need him to be a game-wrecker. They need depth.
They need a situational pass rusher who can give them quality snaps on passing downs. In that role, Judon could still offer value.
Pair him with Montez Sweat, Austin Booker, and Joe Tryon-Shoyinka, and you’ve got a rotation that can keep fresh legs on the field and pressure on opposing quarterbacks.
The question now is whether Poles still believes in the fit. Judon’s time in Miami didn’t go well, but then again, not much did for that defense.
Sometimes, a new environment is all it takes to spark a veteran. And Chicago has become a much more appealing destination.
The team is winning. The defense is playing inspired football under Dennis Allen, who’s brought a veteran savvy and aggressive mindset to the unit.
For a team looking to make a late-season push, this is the kind of low-risk, high-upside move that makes sense. If Judon can give them even flashes of the player he used to be, it’s a win.
And if not? The Bears haven’t mortgaged anything to find out.
Ryan Poles has shown he’s not afraid to be aggressive when the opportunity is right. This might be one of those moments.