Matthew Judon seemed destined to get traded before the 2024 NFL season began.
The New England Patriots are officially in rebuild mode and Judon, who enters the final year of his current contract, could bring in substantial value for what’s currently a one-year rental.
Ultimately, the sack-starved Atlanta Falcons traded away a third-round pick to acquire the pass-rusher with intentions of him to a long-term deal before Week 1 rolls around.
After being criticized for taking Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. with the No. 8 overall pick after spending $100 million in guaranteed money to land Pro Bowler Kirk Cousins, the Falcons walk away with one of the top edge rushers in the game.
But before the Falcons came to terms on a deal, the Houston Texans were in discussions.
According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the Texans and Chicago Bears were in the mix for the 32-year-old edge defender’s services once he became available. Chicago took the lead late in the process, but Atlanta seemed to offer the highest value.
Pass rush isn’t a problem for Houston after landing four-time Pro Bowler Danielle Hunter. He’ll pair opposite Defensive Rookie of the Year Will Anderson Jr. for the next two seasons and Jonathan Greenard’s replacement.
While the #Bears were heavily involved in Matt Judon trade talks, the #Texans also showed some interest, I’m told. The #Patriots had a healthy market for him, ultimately leading to a #Falcons deal.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) August 15, 2024
But Judon, who totaled a career-high 15.5 sacks in 2022, might have factored on the interior as a pass rusher. Anderson, who last year recorded seven sacks, also saw reps in college as an interior rusher and could have taken over for the suspended Dencio Autry.
The Falcons want to be contenders through 2024. It’s why they drafted Penix over one of the top edge rushers last April and reportedly inquired about trading up into the first for UCLA defensive end Laiatu Latu.
From 2019 to 2022, Judon was tied for the fourth-most sacks in the league with 43.5. Over the past two seasons, the Falcons have totaled 63 combined sacks as a unit, with no one recording more than 6.5.
The Texans won’t have to worry about Judon forcing his way into the backfield against C.J. Stroud anymore with the Pro Bowler off to the NFC South. Houston takes on New England at Gillette Stadium at noon on Oct. 13.