Patriots saved Packers from disaster with Matthew Judon trade

Credit where credit is due, the Chicago Bears are building an impressive roster. General manager Ryan Poles has possibly found a franchise quarterback and surrounded him with an excellent supporting cast.

The last thing the Green Bay Packers needed was for the Bears to add a game-changer on defense.

Chicago's defense improved after the arrival of Montez Sweat before last season's trade deadline, and the Bears were reportedly close to landing another star pass rusher.

NFL insider Jordan Schultz broke the news that the New England Patriots are sending four-time Pro Bowler Matthew Judon to the Atlanta Falcons. Schultz revealed it came down to teams: Atlanta and Chicago.

The Falcons only had to give up a third-rounder to land a pass rusher who made 28 sacks in 2021 and 2022. Fortunately, the Patriots didn't make that deal with the Bears.

Packers should be relieved that Matthew Judon stayed out of the NFC North

The Packers have won their previous 10 games against the Bears, but Matt Ebberflus' team presents a real challenge in 2024. Their offense gets the attention after adding Caleb Williams, Keenan Allen, and Rome Odunze this offseason, but their defense quietly pulled the Bears into playoff contention late last year.

Eberflus' defense allowed just 17.5 points over the final eight games, while Montez Sweat made six sacks in nine games.

Adding Judon to Chicago's defense would've been bad news for Green Bay. He is a four-time Pro Bowler and one of the best pass rushers in the NFL.

But the Bears are going to do Bears things.

The Packers can be thankful that this is the trade the Bears didn't do. They have been willing to use draft picks to acquire players, including wasting a second-rounder on Chase Claypool. This time, we can celebrate a trade they failed to get done.

Chicago will compete in the NFC North this season, but failing to land Judon is a huge relief for the rest of the division.

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