Bears Should Shift Focus to Haason Reddick in Pass-Rush Pursuit

The Chicago Bears' missing piece of the offseason is a second pass rusher to complement Montez Sweat. General manager Ryan Poles attempted to trade for Matthew Judon by offering the New England Patriots a third-round pick, but the Atlanta Falcons matched the offer and Judon chose to head south. Poles and the Bears aren't options, however, as Haason Reddick is another disgruntled pass rusher available on the market.

Reddick spent the last two seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles and earned Pro Bowl honors each year. In 2023, he logged 29 solo tackles, 11 sacks , and 13 tackles for loss. Being positioned opposite Sweat on the Bears' defensive front would provide Reddick a great opportunity to match or improve on those numbers.

Reddick's situation is more tenuous than Judon's was. The New York Jets traded for Reddick in the offseason, but the Temple product has decided to hold out from his new team's camp until a contract extension is complete. The Jets and Reddick have been apart in contract negotiations.

Judon was more amicable than Reddick in his holdout scenario, making him more appealing. But some factors could make Reddick a better option for the Bears.

Haason Reddick's Situation Could Be Better for the Bears

Haason Reddick, 29, is three years younger than Matthew Judon . Reddick's durability is undeniable as he's played in every game of every season since entering the league in 2017.

Most importantly, Ryan Poles has experience in resolving contract dispute scenarios. When the Bears traded for Montez Sweat, who had one year left on his deal, Chicago ironed out a four-year extension for him in five days.

With the regular season quickly approaching, the Bears should at least call the Jets regarding Reddick. Chicago has a promising 2024 outlook thanks to an improved roster that can legitimately contend for an NFC North title. Adding Reddick on the edge would only help the Bears' playoff aspirations as the storied franchise seeks a return to relevancy after years of middling and rebuilding.

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