Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Chicago Bears airs every Tuesday at 9 p.m. ET through Sept. 3 on HBO and is available to stream on Max.
Building a team requires constant attention to detail, not only on the field, but also in the fine print.
Aiming to boost his team’s defense by trading for then-New England Patriots pass rusher Matt Judon, Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles’ efforts — and apprehension — to pull off a swap were showcased during the third episode of Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Chicago Bears.
“Our language is basically saying if the contract is not signed then he reverts back to New England,” Poles said, speaking with his special advisor Ted Crews.
Poles was adamant on having an extension in place before investing a part of the organization’s future, a 2025 third-round pick, in a proposed trade to the Patriots.
“I don’t want to get the club in a position where we have a player that’s here, we’ve given up a draft pick, and we haven’t had a resolution on a contract,” Poles said.
A player of Judon’s caliber would make a massive impact for a Bears pass rush that finished second-worst in sacks (30) last season. The 32-year-old only played four games before suffering a season-ending torn bicep, but made the Pro Bowl each of the previous four seasons.
Ultimately, Judon was traded to the Falcons with no extension following. Once the news broke that Judon was headed to Atlanta, Poles reflected on what could have been.
“If he has 20 sacks or something, yeah it’ll make me sick,” Poles confessed to Bears director of football administration Matt Feinstein.
In hopes to alleviate the situation, Feinstein quickly reminded Poles of his decision to trade up and acquire rookie pass rusher Austin Booker.
“It’s Judon for a [third-round pick] and some significant financial needs,” Feinstein said. “We traded a [fourth] for four years of Austin Booker.”
While he didn’t land a big name via trade this time, Poles has stayed aggressive and made several trades in his tenure to improve the Bears roster, most notably for DJ Moore, Montez Sweat and Keenan Allen. Perhaps another veteran pass rusher seeking a new contract could also be in the Bears’ interest with the regular season right around the corner.
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