NFL Trade Rumors
After spending the first five years of his career as a rotational pass rusher in Baltimore, Matt Judon signed a lucrative free-agent deal in 2021 with the Patriots and became one of the best pass rushers in the league. Over a two-year span from 2021-2022, Judon had 120 tackles and 28 sacks, establishing himself as a force for a strong New England defense. A bicep injury limited him to just four games in 2023, and the Falcons traded for him prior to the 2024 season.
Atlanta gave up a third-round pick for Judon, which was not an insignificant investment. Judon was in the midst of a contract dispute with the Patriots, as he felt he deserved a market-level contract given his impressive production since joining the team. In Atlanta, however, he seemed content to play out the last year of his deal and cash in again as a free agent this offseason.
That hasn’t gone to plan for Judon, largely because his play took a significant step back in 2024. He was PFF’s 117th-graded edge defender last year, with just a 53.9 pass rush grade that underscored his drop in the counting stats department as well. He had just 25 solo tackles and five sacks, and he’s entering his age-33 season. It’s possible — even likely — that Judon will never reach the highs he had in New England again.
Still, Judon is a proven veteran with a track record of production. He didn’t return the investment Atlanta made in him, but for a team with a need for depth at pass rusher, he can still contribute. Five sacks as a rotational player instead of a star is solid production, and for a team that needs insurance behind a star or that wants to bolster a questionable rotation, Judon can still be valuable.
Judon, 32, is a former fifth-round pick of the Ravens back in 2016. He played out the final year of his four-year, $2.595 million contract before being franchised by the Ravens.
Judon was once again in line to be an unrestricted free agent when he signed a four-year, $56 million deal with the Patriots. He was traded to Atlanta prior to the 2024 season in exchange for a third-round pick.
In 2024, Judon appeared in all 17 games for the Falcons and recorded 41 total tackles, seven tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, one interception for a touchdown and five passes defended.
We have him included in our Top 100 Available NFL Free Agents list.
Going into the offseason, edge rusher was the most glaring position of need on the Washington roster. Dorance Armstrong, Deatrich Wise and Clelin Ferrell don’t inspire a ton of confidence as your core trio of edge defenders. The Commanders are looking to take a step forward this year after a surprise run to the NFC Championship last year, and they can’t do that with a lackluster pass rush.
Judon is one of the only starting-caliber edge rushers left on the...
