NW Atlanta News

The Atlanta Falcons have reached an agreement to trade a 2025 third-round draft pick to the New England Patriots for pass rusher Matthew Judon, pending Judon's physical examination. The announcement was made on Thursday, generating significant anticipation within the team.

"Anytime you can add a dog, really, to your group and have him be able to come be a part of that, that is exciting," said Falcons head coach Raheem Morris. "I think we have excitement for that. I think he has excitement for that. I think a couple of our players that actually know him personally have excitement for that."

Judon, initially drafted in the fifth round by the Baltimore Ravens in 2016 from Grand Valley State University, has since become a four-time Pro Bowler. His first Pro Bowl season came in 2019 when he started all 16 games and recorded 9.5 sacks along with four forced fumbles, 33 quarterback hits, and 54 combined tackles.

In 2022 with the Patriots, Judon achieved his best performance yet with 15.5 sacks, 28 quarterback hits, and 60 combined tackles. He also had a fumble recovery, two forced fumbles, and three pass breakups that year.

"The Pro Bowl thing is impressive," Morris commented. "But actually going out there and playing against this dog when he was in Baltimore... Having that type of recall from that type of a player – what he does and what he can bring to the table – is always fun."

Judon has faced the Falcons twice before – once in 2018 with the Ravens and again in 2021 with the Patriots – winning both times and securing one sack against former quarterback Matt Ryan in their last encounter.

With career statistics including 66.5 sacks and two double-digit-sack seasons over the past three years, Judon is expected to bolster the Falcons' defensive pressure significantly.

"You get a guy with the ability to come in here and be a game wrecker for you right now," Morris stated. "I have one real key factor... We did that out in L.A. with Von (Miller)... Got him middle season doing a trade; he was able to come in (and) turn into a game wrecker."

Morris referred to Miller's trade from the Denver Broncos to the Los Angeles Rams on Nov. 1, 2021, which resulted in Miller making significant contributions leading up to their Super Bowl LVI victory.

Although it remains uncertain whether Judon will be seen as a long-term solution for the Falcons' defense, Morris emphasized his immediate value: "You never know what these things can turn into... But I know what we're getting in that trade: the dog mentality."

Falcons players also expressed their enthusiasm about Judon's arrival after Thursday's practice:

Safety Jessie Bates III remarked: "We'll take him all day... He's somebody that's played at a high level in this league for a very long time... And I feel like Terry and the guys upstairs have done a really good job of bringing in really good football players but really good people as well."

Quarterback Michael Penix Jr.: "That's big time... To add him to the team is definitely special."

Wide receiver Drake London added: "Very exciting... Anything to help this team win, I'm all for it."