Judon Traded to Falcons in a Strategic Move
In a significant development, Matt Judon, the four-time Pro Bowl edge rusher, has been traded from the New England Patriots to the Atlanta Falcons. The Patriots, in return, received a third-round pick, marking a pivotal shift for both teams as they prepare for the upcoming season.
This trade comes after Judon's notable hold-in during the Patriots' training camp earlier this year, a move designed to leverage a new contract. Despite the turmoil, Judon's performance over the past two seasons has been nothing short of outstanding. Between 2021 and 2022, he recorded an impressive 28.0 sacks, tying for the third-most in the NFL over that period. His stellar seasons included a 15.5 sack haul in 2022 and 12.5 sacks in 2021, performances that rank as the third and fourth-most in a single season in Patriots history since 1982. Unfortunately, his 2023 season was cut short due to a torn lower bicep injury in Week 4.
The trade to Atlanta introduces Judon to a team that has been struggling to exert pressure on the quarterback over the last few seasons. The Falcons have had the worst team quarterback pressure rate since 2021 at 27.6%. For the 2023 season, they ranked 25th in pressure rate, achieving just 32.7%. Despite these struggles, the Falcons managed to tie for 21st in sacks with a total of 42.0 sacks.
The addition of Judon aims to address and overhaul Atlanta's deficiencies in their pass rush. As one NFL insider commented, “The trade for Judon represents a hard-fought victory for Atlanta after striking out twice when trying to trade for pass-rush help within the past year.” The Falcons had previously attempted to acquire Montez Sweat before he was traded to the Chicago Bears and also tried to trade up to draft UCLA All-American edge rusher Laiatu Latu, who was eventually picked by the Indianapolis Colts at 15th overall. They further fortified their line by drafting Ruke Orhorhoro from Clemson in the second round.
Judon’s arrival is expected to inject much-needed vigor and proficiency into the Falcons' defense. As of now, Judon has been expressing his excitement on social media, notably sharing his efforts to find a residence close to the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, reflecting his eagerness to settle into his new home.
On the Patriots' side, the move seems to be part of a broader restructuring under the leadership of head coach Jerod Mayo and executive vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf. The Patriots ended their 2023 season with a dismal 4-13 record, marking their worst scoring offense since 1992 with an average of just 13.9 points per game. The departure of Judon, paired with the acquisition of the third-round pick, appears to be a strategic effort by the Patriots management to amass valuable draft capital. This approach is designed to bolster the team's long-term competitiveness: “This is an organization that needs as much draft capital as possible to give its new regime of Wolf and Mayo what it needs to put together a competitive club over the next few years,” a source close to the team reported.
In response to their underwhelming season, the Patriots proactively selected North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye third overall in the 2024 NFL Draft. To mentor their new quarterback, they signed seasoned quarterback Jacoby Brissett to a one-year deal. This move indicates the Patriots’ commitment to shaping a formidable offense and rejuvenating their squad's potential.
Meanwhile, the Falcons, who have been grappling with a playoff drought since 2016, appear to be making decisive moves in an attempt to reverse their fortunes. Their recent signing of quarterback Kirk Cousins to a four-year, $180 million deal, with $100 million guaranteed, underscores their ambition to construct a competitive lineup capable of breaking their prolonged postseason absence. The last time the Falcons had a player record double-digit sacks in a season was in 2016 when Vic Beasley achieved 15.5 sacks.
With the arrival of Judon, the Falcons are looking to enhance their defensive prowess and end their playoff drought. Judon's proven track record of consistently pressuring quarterbacks will be crucial for a team looking to change its defensive narrative. Both teams, though on different trajectories, seek to emerge stronger and more competitive in the seasons to come.