Terry, you actually did it.
According to Ian Rapoport, the Atlanta Falcons have traded a 2025 third-round draft pick to the New England Patriots in exchange for four-time Pro Bowl pass rusher Matthew Judon.
The Falcons have been criticized for decades for neglecting their pass rush and focusing on offense in one draft after another, and with this move, Atlanta has finally solved one of the most pressing problems that has plagued this organization for over a decade.
Judon was sidelined for most of the 2023 season with a torn biceps and was willing to renegotiate his contract with New England before the final year. The Patriots were unable to reach an agreement with Judon and instead offered his services on the transfer market. Judon had several suitors, but the Falcons were able to complete the deal.
Before Judon went down, he played four straight Pro Bowl seasons, starting with his time with the Baltimore Ravens. Judon’s 28 sacks between 2021 and 2022 are the third-most in the two seasons, tied with edge rusher TJ Watt of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Only Myles Garrett of the Cleveland Browns and Nick Bosa of the San Francisco 49ers are better than him for most sacks.
Due to Bralen Trice’s injury, Falcons GM Terry Fontenot was forced to bolster the edge rushing room, and he did so in a big way.
