The Atlanta Falcons have successfully acquired the pass rusher they have sought for years. The New England Patriots announced on Thursday that they are trading standout edge rusher Matthew Judon to the Falcons in exchange for a 2025 third-round draft pick. Judon had recently returned to practice with the Patriots after a short absence.
Currently, the Falcons and Judon have not finalized a contract for 2025 but are expected to negotiate one before the season begins, as reported by a source. To manage their salary cap, the Falcons restructured the contract of Pro Bowl guard Chris Lindstrom, transferring a portion of his $12.5 million base salary into a signing bonus.
Judon, who celebrated his 32nd birthday on Thursday, is a four-time Pro Bowler who achieved a career-high of 15.5 sacks in 2022 and tallied 12.5 sacks in 2021. He faced challenges last season due to a torn biceps that limited his playtime.
Since the 2016 season, when Vic Beasley led the team with double-digit sacks, the Falcons have struggled to find a consistent pass-rushing presence. Additionally, they suffered a setback when rookie edge rusher Bralen Trice, a third-round draft pick, was sidelined for the season following a knee injury in a preseason game against the Miami Dolphins.
During April’s draft, the Falcons faced criticism for selecting quarterback Michael Penix Jr. despite already acquiring quarterback Kirk Cousins, instead of opting for a pass rusher.
Judon is entering the final year of a four-year, $56 million contract he signed with the Patriots in March 2021. He is set to earn a base salary of $6.5 million, a figure he has indicated does not accurately reflect his worth.
After negotiations stalled, Judon voiced his frustration during a training camp practice, arriving without his pads and sitting on a flipped trash barrel while observing his teammates. He later had a discussion with first-year coach Jerod Mayo before leaving the field, returning later to meet with Patriots executives.
Despite missing two practices, Judon returned to the team, and Mayo praised his contributions, stating he has met all expectations during meetings and practices.
Judon was a beloved figure among Patriots fans, often engaging with them by playing catch before practices and games. Following a disappointing 4-13 season, the Patriots are now weighing both short- and long-term strategies under the new Mayo-Wolf regime as they trade their top pass rusher. While acquiring a third-round pick can bring valuable talent to the team, losing Judon is a significant blow to their defense, which has been the team’s strength.