In a seismic move in the NFL landscape, the New England Patriots have traded their formidable edge rusher Matt Judon to the Atlanta Falcons. This acquisition comes as a hard-earned victory for Atlanta, which had previously struck out twice in its efforts to bolster its pass rush within the past year.
Judon, a four-time Pro Bowl edge rusher, has been a dominant force on the field. From 2021 through 2022, he recorded an impressive 28.0 sacks, tying for the third-most in the NFL over that period. His performances have included standout seasons in 2021 and 2022, where he logged 12.5 and 15.5 sacks, respectively. These feats rank as the third and fourth-most single-season sack totals in Patriots history since 1982.
However, Judon's 2023 campaign was prematurely cut short due to a torn lower bicep sustained in Week 4. Despite this setback, his current form and impact remain undiminished. Over the last three seasons, Judon boasted a quarterback pressure rate of 15.7%, placing him seventh in the league over that span. Such stats underscore the Falcons' motivation to secure his talents as they seek to rectify a glaring deficiency in their defensive play.
Atlanta's pass-rushing woes have been well-documented. Since 2021, the Falcons have had the worst team quarterback pressure rate at 27.6%. In the 2023 season, they ranked 25th in the NFL with a pressure rate of 32.7% and tied for 21st in total sacks with 42.0. The last time the Falcons had a player with double-digit sacks was 2016, when Vic Beasley posted 15.5 sacks.
The attempts to remedy this issue have been relentless. The Falcons tried to trade for Montez Sweat before he went to the Chicago Bears at the 2023 trade deadline. Additionally, they sought to move up the draft order to secure UCLA All-American edge rusher Laiatu Latu, who was eventually picked 15th overall by the Indianapolis Colts. They also drafted Clemson's Ruke Orhorhoro in the second round, yet their defensive front remained in need of elite talent.
The trade for Judon represents a turning point. The Patriots received a third-round pick in return, a move that reflects their current rebuilding phase. The Patriots, under the leadership of new head coach Jerod Mayo and executive vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf, concluded the 2023 season with a dismal 4-13 record. This was their worst season since 1992, marked by an anemic offense that averaged just 13.9 points per game.
To rejuvenate their fortunes, the Patriots made a significant push in the 2024 NFL Draft by selecting North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye with the third overall pick. In an effort to ensure Maye’s smooth transition into the NFL, the Patriots signed veteran quarterback Jacoby Brissett to a one-year deal to act as his mentor.
Meanwhile, Judon has expressed enthusiasm about his new chapter in Atlanta. He demonstrated his eagerness to integrate into his new environment by sharing his housing search near Mercedes-Benz Stadium on his Instagram story. For the Falcons, securing Judon marks a significant step towards breaking their playoff drought, which dates back to 2016. Coupled with the high-profile signing of quarterback Kirk Cousins to a four-year, $180 million deal, with $100 million guaranteed, the Falcons are poised to reconfigure their roster towards competitiveness.
The addition of Judon not only fills a critical gap but also elevates the Falcons' defense to a new echelon. As the Falcons continue to retool and the Patriots rebuild with draft capital, the NFL landscape braces for the potential reawakening of two storied franchises.