By most accounts, the New England Patriots do not plan to trade franchise pass-rusher Matthew Judon. According to Jerod Mayo, both parties are apparently past a somewhat testy contract stalemate from earlier this summer, as Judon has been participating in training camp.
With the right call and trade offer, though, this Judon situation could flip on a dime.
According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, “multiple teams” have apparently inquired about a potential trade for the four-time Pro Bowler and perennial Defensive Player of the Year candidate. Even if Judon is practicing now and getting set for another season with New England, it’s worth noting that he still doesn’t have a new deal from the Patriots. Barring any developments over the next few weeks, he seems liable to become an unrestricted free agent this offseason, which could put the onus on the Patriots to offload the 31-year-old if they don’t want to commit to him instead of losing him for nothing.
As for Judon’s resume, it more or less speaks for itself. I get the sense he’s an underrated name to most fans, not some household guy, but he plays and terrorizes the edge like a superstar. After mostly working through a situational role with the Baltimore Ravens to begin his career, Judon joined the Patriots in 2021 as a prized free agent for the tail-end of the Bill Belichick era. He’s produced a monstrous 133 tackles, 62 quarterback hits, 33 tackles-for-loss, and 32 sacks in 38 appearances with New England ever since.
Full-time responsibilities certainly suit Judon quite well.
Part of the Patriots’ apparent reluctance to give Judon more long-term financial security is more likely rooted in concern about his age and viability for the coming years. This thought process was probably exacerbated when he missed most of the 2023 season with a torn bicep.
Still, when in top form, there’s no doubt Judon is a cream-of-the-crop pass-rusher. When healthy — and I have to think a 31-year-old can sustain elite play for at least a few more seasons — he is a championship-caliber starter for just about any NFL team. He’s the kind of player really worth trading for if you think you’re on the precipice of achieving something great.
Here are a few NFL teams that might have already called about Judon and who might sweeten the pot enough to get the planet-destroying defender into their uniform.
1
Atlanta Falcons
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The Falcons might have bolstered their offense with Kirk Cousins, a quarterback who can (cough, cough) consistently complete a forward pass. But they still need more bona fide defensive stoppers up front. An aging Grady Jarrett isn’t nearly enough for a team that hopes to make a deep NFC playoff push. Already stocked with elite defensive backs like Jessie Bates III and A.J. Terrell, Judon would give the Falcons much-needed pass-rushing juice.
2
Seattle Seahawks
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Leonard Williams was a solid trade deadline addition for Seattle last year, but he’s not nearly enough as a pass-rusher to compete in a stacked NFC West. At the time of this publishing, the Seahawks’ starting edge players are glorified swingmen Jarran Reed and Uchena Nwosu. Throwing Judon into the mix would give the Seahawks a much healthier and robust pecking order up front.
3
Chicago Bears
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Empowered by head coach Matt Eberflus’s defensive scheme, Montez Sweat looked like a genuine game-wrecker after the Bears acquired him at the 2023 deadline. The first-time Pro Bowler is now locked in as Chicago’s franchise pass-rusher, but he doesn’t have a legitimate running mate. Promising rookie Austin Booker might show flashes now and then, but it’ll likely be at least a year or two before he’s ready to become a full-fledged, difference-making starter. Enter Judon, a savvy vet who’s been around the block and would potentially dominate alongside Sweat while filling in the gap until then.
4
Detroit Lions
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For the first time in ages, the Lions will enter an NFL season as a prohibitive Super Bowl favorite. Heck, I’m certainly picking them to win the NFC. But if Detroit really wants to go over the top, getting a field-tilting edge defender like Judon to pair with the athletic Aidan Hutchinson feels like a prudent move for general manager Brad Holmes. I like Marcus Davenport, but he’s probably better as a No. 3 pass-rusher rather than a full-time sidekick.
5
Indianapolis Colts
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Offensive play was not the Colts’ issue in 2023. Even with backup quarterback Gardner Minshew forced to step in for an injured Anthony Richardson, Shane Steichen’s crew engineered one of the NFL’s better attacks. The problem was that Indianapolis generally couldn’t stop a nosebleed. I like a lot of the Colts’ front seven players. I don’t like someone like Tyquan Lewis enough not to advocate for Judon to push him into more of a situational role.
6
Arizona Cardinals
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Quick, name a single player on the Cardinals’ current starting defense. No, you can’t say perennial Pro Bowler Budda Baker. (Waits) Oh, you couldn’t think of stout rotational tackle Bilal Nichols?
For shame!
In all seriousness, I appreciate the Cardinals’ defensive makeup. They don’t have many long-term investments on this side of the ball, as they’re banking on fill-ins before gradually adding new, hopeful foundational pieces. But the plan seems sound overall. Depending on how quickly Arizona wants to contend with Kyler Murray and Marvin Harrison Jr. again, adding someone as experienced and gifted as Judon for the next several years would make a lot of sense. And I know Baker would love working in tandem with him.
