Patriots Trade Judon to Atlanta for Draft Capital
Amid all the trade rumors circulating around the NFL this offseason, the situation between Matt Judon and the New England Patriots has largely flown under the radar. This week, that situation finally came to a conclusion as the two sides ultimately could not reach an agreement. New England agreed to trade Judon to the Atlanta Falcons in exchange for a third-round pick, with the Falcons hoping to bolster their defense with this veteran addition. Judon had reportedly been discussed in a potential deal with the Chicago Bears but ultimately preferred to be dealt to Atlanta.
Since the trade, there has been considerable debate about the Patriots trading one of their best players for a mid-round pick. While it’s unfortunate to see New England part ways with one of their top players, I believe it’s a smart deal for both sides.
For the Patriots, extending a 32-year-old player coming off an injury didn’t align with their current rebuilding strategy. Judon had made it clear that he had no intention of staying in New England without a new contract extension, and the Patriots decided it wasn’t worth the investment. Paying an older player who just dealt with a serious injury would contradict their long-term plans. The Patriots are clearly in rebuild mode with a new head coach and rookie quarterback, and adding draft capital furthers that direction. It’s impressive that they were able to secure a third-round pick for Judon, despite having little leverage.
On the Falcons’ side, they acquire a player who can immediately contribute to what they hope will be a playoff-contending team. If this offseason's moves are any indication of how Atlanta views the upcoming season, then adding Judon only strengthens their chances. Despite his age, Judon proved in his limited action last year that he is still effective when healthy. He recorded four sacks in as many games, just a year after his All-Pro campaign, where he registered a career-high 15.5 sacks. Judon’s recent performance gives optimism that he still has plenty left in the tank. Atlanta, which ranked 22nd in sacks last season with 42, hopes Judon’s presence will significantly boost their pass rush.
In this case, both teams benefit from the trade. The Falcons are banking on high-level production to get them over the hump, while the Patriots gain an additional opportunity to retool with young talent for the future. To me, this is a win-win deal with both sides receiving fair compensation. However, if Judon can recapture his elite form from 2022, hindsight might not be as kind to the Patriots’ decision. Still, given the current circumstances, it’s clear why both teams approached the trade as they did. With the 2024 regular season swiftly approaching, we’ll soon see what kind of impact Judon will make in his new role with the Falcons.