Patriots Trade Matt Judon to Falcons in Landmark Deal
The New England Patriots have traded four-time Pro Bowl edge rusher Matt Judon to the Atlanta Falcons in exchange for a third-round pick. This move marks a significant milestone for both franchises as they look to reshape their rosters with an eye on future success.
Judon's Stellar Performance
Judon boasts an impressive record, with 28.0 sacks recorded from 2021 through 2022, tying him for the third-most sacks in the NFL during that period. His contributions included a standout 15.5 sack season in 2022 and another remarkable 12.5 sack season in 2021. These performances rank as the third and fourth-most in a single season in Patriots history since 1982.
Despite his strong individual performance, Judon's 2023 season was cut short by a torn lower bicep in Week 4, an unfortunate turn of events that certainly impacted the Patriots' defensive prowess over the remainder of the season. Nevertheless, over the past three seasons, Judon maintained a formidable quarterback pressure rate of 15.7%, placing him seventh in the league.
Falcons Bolster Their Defensive Line
For the Falcons, the acquisition of Judon represents a much-needed reinforcement in their pass rush. The team has struggled in this regard, posting the worst team quarterback pressure rate (27.6%) since 2021. Even in the 2023 season, they ranked 25th in the NFL with a 32.7% pressure rate and tied for 21st in sacks with a total of 42.0. Notably, the last Falcons player to record double-digit sacks in a season was Vic Beasley, who had 15.5 in 2016.
The Falcons have made previous attempts to secure elite edge rushers, including efforts to trade for Montez Sweat before he was dealt to the Chicago Bears at the 2023 trade deadline and to draft UCLA All-American edge rusher Laiatu Latu. However, these efforts fell short, making the acquisition of Judon a significant victory for the franchise.
“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,”said an inside source. Judon has expressed his excitement about the move, showcasing his enthusiasm by scouting housing options near his new home stadium, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, as shared on his Instagram story.
Patriots Look to the Future
For the Patriots, this trade is part of a larger strategy to amass draft capital to rebuild their roster. The team finished the 2023 season with a disappointing 4-13 record and experienced their worst scoring offense (13.9 points per game) since 1992. Head coach Jerod Mayo and executive vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf are at the helm of this rebuilding effort.
“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,”stated an insider familiar with the team’s strategy.
As part of their rebuild, the Patriots selected North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye with the third overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft and signed veteran quarterback Jacoby Brissett to a one-year deal to mentor the young signal-caller.
Falcons Continue to Reshape Roster
In addition to acquiring Judon, the Falcons have made significant moves to reshape their roster. They selected Clemson's Ruke Orhorhoro in the second round and signed quarterback Kirk Cousins to a four-year, $180 million deal, with $100 million guaranteed. Despite these efforts, the Falcons have not made a playoff appearance since 2016, highlighting the urgency and importance of these moves for the franchise.
Bralen Trice, another edge rusher from Washington, was expected to contribute significantly to the Falcons' pass rush but suffered a setback with a torn ACL in the preseason opener, further accentuating the need for acquiring a player of Judon's caliber.
Overall, the trade works to benefit both teams, with the Falcons bolstering a defensive line desperate for pressure and the Patriots acquiring valuable assets for a much-needed rebuild. With Judon in Atlanta, the Falcons look to turn their defensive fortunes around and possibly end their playoff drought, while the Patriots focus on constructing a competitive team for future seasons.