After Learning He's No Longer in the Team's Plans, Star LB with Over 400 Career Tackles Expresses Desire to Stay – Willing to Take a Pay Cut Just to Wear the Steelers Jersey One More Time

Chicago, Illinois – December 18, 2025 The Chicago Bears moved faster than anyone expected. Just hours after the Miami Dolphins officially parted ways with a five-time Pro Bowl linebacker boasting more than 106 career sacks, the Bears reached a verbal agreement with the veteran defender — a move that signals a clear shift in competitive mindset ahead of their rivalry clash with the Green Bay Packers. This was not a signing meant to simply “add depth.” The Bears understand exactly where they stand. As the season enters its most decisive stretch and Chicago prepares to face a longtime rival that thrives on exploiting even the smallest mistake, the front office and coaching staff identified the need for a presence capable of altering a game simply by stepping onto the field. The linebacker’s résumé fits that vision perfectly: sustained pressure across multiple seasons, elite instincts for reading protection schemes, and experience against some of the most sophisticated offenses in the NFL. Head coach Ben Johnson did not shy away from the significance of the move, even while keeping specifics guarded before kickoff. “We’re not chasing a name for attention,” Johnson said. “We’re looking for someone who forces opponents to change how they prepare before they ever step on the field. There are players who don’t need to say much — their presence alone makes the other side rewrite the plan. For us, that’s a secret weapon.” From a tactical standpoint, if the agreement becomes official, the Bears gain expanded flexibility in how they generate pressure. A proven edge rusher allows Johnson and his staff to diversify blitz packages, disguise intent more effectively, and force opposing quarterbacks into quicker-than-planned decisions — an especially critical factor against the Packers, a team known for adjusting protections and controlling game tempo. The impact extends beyond schemes and play calls. Inside the locker room, the arrival of a player who has battled through playoff environments and carried leadership responsibilities on elite defenses establishes an unspoken standard — one defined by preparation, urgency, and accountability when the spotlight is brightest. As early details continued to surface, the identity behind the verbal agreement became clear: Matthew Judon, the former defensive star who previously anchored pass rush units for both the Patriots and the Dolphins. Around the league, Judon has long been respected for his durability, edge, and ability to flip momentum at critical moments. No official announcement has been made. No press conference has followed. But the message from Chicago is unmistakable. Green Bay awaits. And whether Judon takes the field immediately or not, the Bears believe they are holding a true “secret weapon” — one capable of forcing the Packers to rethink everything, starting with the very first snap.