The New England Patriots have traded four-time Pro Bowl edge rusher Matthew Judon to the Atlanta Falcons in exchange for a third-round draft pick, according to an anonymous source familiar with the transaction. The teams have yet to officially announce the trade.
Judon recorded 28 sacks over his first two seasons with the Patriots but struggled last year, tallying just four sacks in four games due to injuries. His availability comes amid a contract dispute, as he is currently earning a base salary of $6.5 million this season and is seeking a new deal.
“I signed the deal. My signature’s on it so I got to play on it. Do I think that’s my value? No. But, again, that’s not up to me,” Judon expressed last month. He added that while he hopes to remain with the Patriots as a key player on their defense, he acknowledges that his future is not in his hands. “It’s hard not to be jealous or envious. But honestly, I’ve got to focus on myself,” he concluded.
The Falcons, in need of a pass rusher after losing rookie edge rusher Bralen Trice to a season-ending knee injury during their first preseason game, see Judon as a valuable addition to their defense. The Falcons have not had a player with double-digit sacks since Vic Beasley recorded 15.5 sacks in 2016.
Judon, who will turn 32 on Thursday, began his career with the Baltimore Ravens, where he accumulated 34.5 sacks and earned two of his four Pro Bowl selections. He excelled in Bill Belichick’s defense in New England, achieving a career-high 15.5 sacks in 2022.
Trice, a third-round pick from the University of Washington, had been vying for a starting position after leading the nation in quarterback pressures in the last two seasons. Before his injury, he was listed as the No. 2 outside linebacker behind Arnold Ebiketie. With this development, Judon is now expected to take on a significant pass-rushing role within the Falcons’ defense.