Matt Judon, the four-time Pro Bowl edge rusher, has been traded to the Atlanta Falcons from the New England Patriots in exchange for a third-round pick. This move marks a significant shift for both teams, with Judon bringing a remarkable record to his new franchise.
Judon’s Impact and Past Performance
Judon's tenure with the Patriots has been nothing short of impressive. Over the 2021 and 2022 seasons, he recorded a total of 28.0 sacks, tying for the third-most in the NFL during that period. His prowess on the field is further highlighted by his individual season performances, with a 15.5 sack season in 2022 and a 12.5 sack season in 2021. These feats rank as the third and fourth-most in a single season in Patriots history since 1982.
However, Judon’s 2023 season was cut short due to a torn lower bicep in Week 4, but not before he established himself as a formidable force. His quarterback pressure rate over the past three seasons stands at an impressive 15.7%, placing him seventh in the league. Such statistics underscore why the Falcons were keen to secure his services.
Echoing the significance of the trade, a source close to the Falcons stated, “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’ Search for Defensive Reinforcement
The Falcons’ defense has been a cause for concern over recent seasons. Since 2021, the team has had the worst team quarterback pressure rate at 27.6%. In the 2023 season, their pressure rate slightly improved to 32.7%, ranking them 25th in the NFL. They tied for 21st in sacks with 42.0 sacks in the same season. Despite these improvements, the addition of Judon provides a much-needed boost to their pass rush capabilities.
The trade also follows a series of attempts by the Falcons to bolster their defense. They had tried to trade for Montez Sweat before he was moved to the Chicago Bears at the 2023 trade deadline and even attempted to trade up to draft UCLA All-American edge rusher Laiatu Latu, who was ultimately picked by the Indianapolis Colts at 15th overall.
Looking at the Patriots’ Future
For the Patriots, rebuilding seems to be the current focus. Head coach Jerod Mayo and executive vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf are now tasked with guiding the team back to competitiveness following a dismal 4-13 season in 2023, their worst scoring offense (13.9 points per game) since 1992. Reflecting on the importance of draft capital, a source commented, “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.”
In a bid to rejuvenate their offense, the Patriots selected North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye third overall in the 2024 NFL Draft and signed Jacoby Brissett to a one-year deal to mentor the rookie quarterback.
Atlanta’s Broader Strategy
Judon's arrival also fits into a broader strategy for the Falcons, who are desperate to end their playoff drought dating back to 2016. The last time a Falcons player recorded double-digit sacks was in 2016 when Vic Beasley achieved 15.5 sacks. Addressing the offensive side, Atlanta signed quarterback Kirk Cousins to a four-year, $180 million deal, with $100 million guaranteed, demonstrating their commitment to both strengthening their defense and solidifying their offense.
Judon, sharing his excitement for the move, has already begun making arrangements to settle in Atlanta, even featuring his new home stadium, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, on his Instagram story. This proactive step suggests that he is eager to contribute to his new team and help reverse the Falcons' fortunes.
Conclusion
As the Falcons welcome Judon, the franchise and its fans are hopeful that his proven track record and elite pass-rushing ability will bring the spark needed to rejuvenate their defense. For the Patriots, the trade signifies a strategic move towards rebuilding and accumulating the resources necessary to compete at a high level under their new regime.