The Atlanta Falcons have acquired pass rusher Matthew Judon from the New England Patriots in exchange for a third-round draft pick in 2025, the team announced on Thursday. Judon had recently been practicing with the Patriots after a brief period away from the team.
Though the Falcons and Judon have yet to finalize a contract for 2025, discussions are expected to take place ahead of the upcoming season, according to ESPN’s Dan Graziano.
Judon, who celebrated his 32nd birthday on Thursday, is a four-time Pro Bowler. He achieved a career-high of 15.5 sacks in 2022, following a strong 12.5-sack season in 2021. However, he spent most of last season sidelined due to a torn biceps.
The Falcons have not seen a player achieve double-digit sacks since Vic Beasley in 2016, the year of their last Super Bowl appearance. Recently, they lost rookie edge rusher Bralen Trice to a season-ending knee injury during a preseason game against the Miami Dolphins.
During the draft in April, the Falcons faced criticism for selecting quarterback Michael Penix Jr., despite having already brought in Kirk Cousins, instead of opting for a pass rusher.
Judon is entering the last year of a four-year, $56 million contract signed with the Patriots in March 2021, with a base salary of $6.5 million, which he felt did not accurately reflect his worth.
After negotiations stalled, Judon expressed his frustration publicly at a training camp practice on July 29, arriving without his pads and sitting on a trash barrel while watching his teammates. He was seen conversing with head coach Jerod Mayo before stepping off the field, later discussing matters with executive vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf and director of player personnel Matt Groh.
Though he missed two practices, Judon returned to the team, with Mayo praising his performance in meetings and stating that he met all expectations.
Judon was a beloved figure in New England, often engaging with fans before practices and games. The Patriots, coming off a disappointing 4-13 season and under the new leadership of Mayo and Wolf, are looking to balance immediate and future needs with this trade. While acquiring a third-round pick is valuable for adding talent, losing Judon represents a significant loss for a team that relies heavily on its defensive strength.