NFL analyst thinks Bears can make a better move than trading for Matthew Judon

This could all be working out in the Bears' favor.
Chicago Bears, Ryan Poles
Chicago Bears, Ryan Poles / Quinn Harris/GettyImages
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On the latest episode of Gregg Rosenthal's NFL Daily podcast, he and Jourdan Rodrige of The Athletic discussed some players who might potentially be on the move in coming days. The very first player discussed as a trade candidate?

Haasan Reddick.

"One that I think is very logical, I'm gonna throw out first ... let's go Haasan Reddick to the Bears. I think the Jets are sick of this. I don't see an end to this," said the NFL Media analyst.

Last week, the Bears and Falcons both offered New England a third-round pick for Matthew Judon, who ultimately ended up in Atlanta. But, Rosenthal believes it could work out in the Bears' best interest, after all.

"I would rather have Haasan Reddick than Matthew Judon, if I had to pick," Rosenthal said.

"That third-round pick that they (Chicago) were gonna give for Judon, let's send it to the Jets ... so, Joe Douglas gets to save some face," he added.

The Jets obviously dealt a third-round pick for Reddick earlier in the offseason, and if they wind up losing Reddick to free agency, after this last year of his contract, New York would get a compensatory selection in the third round.

Or, they could choose to trade him to the Bears and get a "firm" third-round pick, as Rosenthal alluded to on the pod.

"The only question, here, is whether Joe Douglas thinks 'saving face' on this means winning a standoff or trading a player and recouping something in return," Rodrigue chimed in.

Haasan Reddick would be a massive upgrade over Matthew Judon

If the Bears could get Reddick for the same third-round pick they offered for Judon, Ryan Poles would be committing highway robbery. Not only is Reddick three years younger than Judon, but he's been far more consistent and has been able to stay healthy for the past four seasons.

Judon's 2023 season was cut short due to injury as he only played in four games, but before that, he had only topped double-digit sacks twice in a season. Meanwhile, Reddick has gone into double-digits for four-straight seasons.

If you give this Bears defense Reddick paired with Montez Sweat, this unit immediately challenges for tops in the league. You've got arguably the best cornerback in the NFL in Jaylon Johnson who is playing next to a safety duo featuring a former All Pro, in Kevin Byard, plus a rising star in Jaquan Brisker.

Kyler Gordon might end up as an All Pro nickel this year.

The Bears' linebacker group is as stout as they come. And, stopping the run is what this defensive line and linebacker group does better than any team in the league.

With a defense like that, Caleb Williams and company would have even less pressure on them to perform, allowing the rookie to play freely and with even more confidence thanks to a stingy defense behind him.

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