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Bears Snag 5× Pro Bowl Linebacker With 106+ Career Sacks Just Hours After Dolphins Release — Ben Johnson Calls Him a “Secret Weapon” Ahead of Packers Showdown

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.

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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.

Just Three Hours After Being Released by the Packers, 2× Pro Bowl Star Deletes Every Post About Green Bay After His Attempt to Take a Pay Cut to Stay Was Rejected — His Vow Never to Return Leaves Packers Nation in Sympathy
Green Bay, Wisconsin – The offseason took an emotional turn for the Green Bay Packers when the organization decided to release veteran offensive lineman Elgton Jenkins as part of a salary-cap adjustment. But what happened just hours later turned the situation into one of the most emotional storylines of the week across the NFL. According to multiple reports, Jenkins — a two-time Pro Bowl selection and former All-Pro honoree — had attempted to negotiate with the team and even offered to take a pay cut in order to remain with the franchise that originally drafted him. The effort ultimately fell short as Green Bay chose to move forward with a roster reset, clearing nearly $20 million in cap space for the 2026 season. Just three hours after the release became official, fans began noticing something unusual on Jenkins’ social media accounts. Every post connected to his years in Green Bay — from locker room celebrations to photos wearing the iconic green-and-gold uniform — had quietly disappeared. Jenkins had been one of the pillars of the Packers’ offensive line since being selected in the second round of the 2019 NFL Draft out of Mississippi State. Throughout multiple seasons, he built a reputation for rare versatility, capable of playing guard, tackle, and center at an elite level, and was widely regarded as one of the most reliable and flexible offensive linemen in the league. At his peak, Jenkins was often described as Green Bay’s “secret weapon” on the offensive front. He protected multiple quarterbacks over the years and helped anchor an offense that consistently remained competitive during several playoff runs. His ability to seamlessly shift across nearly every position along the offensive line made him one of the most trusted players inside the Packers’ locker room. At first, the decision to erase those memories surprised many fans. But once reports surfaced that Jenkins had been willing to sacrifice financially just to remain with the team, the reaction across Packers Nation quickly shifted from shock to empathy. Green Bay will always hold a special place in my heart because it’s where my journey truly began. But sometimes you fight to stay somewhere and still realize that chapter has ended, and when that moment comes, the only thing you can do is walk away with respect for every memory that was built there. While Jenkins did not criticize the organization, sources close to the situation say the emotional weight of the release influenced his decision to remove the posts. What surprised many even more was the report that Jenkins has told people close to him that he does not plan to return to Green Bay at any point in his career, choosing instead to start an entirely new chapter elsewhere in the NFL. Yet instead of anger, the reaction from Packers fans has largely been one of understanding. For many supporters, Jenkins’ willingness to take a pay cut simply reinforced what they had long believed. He wasn’t just protecting the quarterback on Sundays.He was trying to protect a home he once hoped would last his entire career.