The Atlanta Falcons let several veteran players on their defensive line walk in free agency. This may have been due to financial considerations or simply a belief that better options were available. Last season, the Falcons acquired veteran Matthew Judon in a trade with the Patriots. At the time, Judon was entering the final year of his contract. Though he could have pushed for an extension, he made it clear he intended to earn it.
“The Atlanta Falcons don’t know me as a football player. They know my history. So I can’t demand something I haven’t worked for,” Judon said, via Joe Patrick of 92.9 The Game.
Now, Judon is a free agent and remains unsigned. A reunion with Atlanta appears unlikely.
“Yeah, probably,” Judon said when asked if the Falcons’ draft moves make a return unlikely. “And then they had another kid (Bralen Trice) who tore his ACL. They’ll want to let them get out there and see what they can do. Hopefully they can be great edges in this league.”
Despite Atlanta seemingly moving on, Fox Sports’ Carmen Vitali sees a strong fit for Judon elsewhere—specifically in Detroit, as a complementary piece to Aidan Hutchinson on the Lions’ defensive line.
“Yes, the Lions are getting Aidan Hutchinson back, but coming off injury, they should try to make his return as easy on him as possible. That is, not making him shoulder the load too much too soon. Detroit is also relying on the health of Marcus Davenport on the other side of the defensive line even with Hutchinson healthy. That hasn’t worked out in recent seasons, so getting another guy off the edge can’t hurt. Potential acquisition: Matthew Judon,” Vitali wrote.
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The Lions have been searching for another edge rusher all offseason. While Hutchinson is a dominant force, adding a proven veteran like Judon could help ease the pressure—especially as Hutchinson works his way back from a serious injury.
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