The Atlanta Falcons are loading up for a run in the NFC South.
According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Falcons traded a third-round pick to the New England Patriots for edge rusher Matthew Judon on Wednesday.
Judon, a four-time Pro-Bowler, signed as a free agent with New England ahead of the 2021 season, but had recently stated his dissatisfaction with his current contract. He has a base salary of $6.5 million this season and is seeking a new deal.
At the beginning of Patriots training camp, Judon told the media that he would like to be among the highest-paid linebackers entering the new season. Still, the four-time Pro Bowler said he understands he needs to honour his deal, which runs through the 2024 season.
"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. I hope I can continue to play here and be a catalyst to one of the best defences in the league. If that’s not the case, that’s not the case,” Judon said. “It’s hard not to be jealous or envious. But honestly, I’ve got to focus on myself. As much as everyone would like me to stay around here for a long time, it’s not up to me. I would pay myself a lot of money and be cool with it.”
The 31-year-old missed the final 13 games of last season because of a torn bicep he suffered during a Week 4 loss to the Dallas Cowboys. Judon led the team with four sacks before getting injured.
In 2022, Judon finished ninth in Defensive Player of the Year voting after recording 60 tackles and 15.5 sacks over 17 games played.
He will now join a Falcons team that finished last season third in its division with a 7-10 record, and is looking to return to the post-season for the first time since 2017 under new quarterback Kirk Cousins.
The Falcons pursued the trade for Judon after losing rookie edge rusher Bralen Trice to a season-ending knee injury in their first preseason game at Miami.
Trice, a third-round pick from the University of Washington, was competing for a starting job after leading the nation in quarterback pressures the last two seasons.
Trice had been listed as the No. 2 outside linebacker behind Arnold Ebikeite before the injury.
Atlanta has historically lacked production in the pass-rushing department. John Abraham holds the single-season franchise record with 16.5 sacks in 2008, and only one other time in franchise history has a player taken down the opposing quarterback more than 15 times.
— With files from The Associated Press
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