The Chicago Bears are still looking for a game-changing edge rusher, and Haason Reddick of the New York Jets fits the criteria. Reddick is entering the final season of a three-year, $45 million contract and is looking for a new deal before taking the field and risking injury. The Jets knew this when they dealt a conditional third-round pick to the Philadelphia Eagles for Reddick in March, but they have declined to extend the Pro Bowl outside linebacker in the months after. Reddick publicly requested a trade in early August, and the Bears were quickly identified as a top suitor. On August 12, Dan Pizzuta of The 33rd Team identified Chicago, along with three other organizations, as the most likely landing locations for Reddick.
A few days after Reddick asked a trade, the New England Patriots honoured Matthew Judon’s trade request by moving him to the Atlanta Falcons for a third-round pick. According to subsequent sources, Chicago was a runner-up in the Judon sweepstakes. “Sources: Several teams were interested in Matthew Judon, but it ultimately came down to the #Bears and #Falcons, with Atlanta finalizing the deal today,” Jordan Schultz of Bleacher Report wrote on X on August 14. Chicago then traded a sixth-round pick to the Seattle Seahawks for edge rusher Darrell Taylor, who has 21.5 sacks in three seasons and can serve as a pass-rush specialist alongside rookie Austin Booker opposite Montez Sweat. Taylor’s addition may be enough to keep the Bears out of any negotiations for Reddick, albeit players of Reddick’s calibre are rarely available. Chicago would most likely have to offer up to a second-round pick to pique New York’s interest, given the Jets traded a third-round pick for Reddick and have suffered multiple setbacks in the meantime.
The Bears have two second-round picks in 2025, one their own and one from the Carolina Panthers, as well as a third-round pick. General manager Ryan Poles has also demonstrated a willingness to trade key draft assets for players who fill critical and immediate needs. He traded a second-round pick to the Washington Commanders for Sweat before signing him to a four-year, $98 million contract extension. Sweat rewarded the Bears with a Pro Bowl season. Chicago could potentially get the same return from Reddick, though it would likely cost more than a second-round pick. Spotrac estimates Reddick’s market value at approximately $80 million over a new three-year contract that would carry him into his age-33 season. Reddick concluded last season with 11 sacks, which tied for his lowest performance in the previous four years. During that time, he has recorded 50.5 sacks and 51 tackles for loss.
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