Tag: Matthew Judon

Matthew Judon wants to finish career with Patriots

Matthew Judon is hopeful his next contract allows him to finish his career in New England

New England Patriots linebacker Matthew Judon has become one of the team’s most dependable defensive players during his time with the organization.

And he hopes to keep it that way.

Judon has logged 133 tackles and 32 sacks during three seasons in New England. Last season was cut short due to a biceps injury in Week 4, which kept him out for the rest of the year.

New England plans to re-sign Judon, and Patriots coach Jerod Mayo even admitted as much, when answering questions at the NFL annual meeting last week. Not only does Judon want to re-sign with the team, but he also wants to call New England home for the rest of his career, as he told WEEI’s Mike Kadlick.

“I think with the contract stuff, if it happens it happens…” Judon said. “If we can get a new contract worked out to where I try to end my career in Boston, that’d be great.”

Judon has been a staple of the Patriots defense ever since he came to the organization.

Keeping him for the remainder of his career would provide defensive stability, especially as the team continues to undergo a rebuild. His pass-rushing ability as well as his leadership on the defensive side of the ball are major assets for a young, developing football team.

Matthew Judon trolls internet with April Fools’ Day retirement announcement

Matthew Judon was up to his old tricks on April Fools’ Day

Leave it to Matthew Judon to have an epic April Fools’ Day prank awaiting New England Patriots fans on April 1.

The Patriots’ four-time Pro Bowl linebacker took the opportunity to troll the internet by announcing his retirement in an Instagram post. He had the traditional “Thank You” graphic with a short message to fans that read:

“Thank you Patriots nation for showing me so much love and support these past three years in New England. I can honestly say that New England has become one of my favorite places on Earth, and it is all thanks to you, the fans. Although this chapter is coming to a close, I am unbelievably excited for the next stage of my career, competing in professional equestrian show jumping.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/C5Oa2aGugIc/?hl=en&img_index=2

For those curious, equestrian show jumping is a competition where contestants jump a series of obstacles on horseback.

It’s another hilarious ruse from Judon, who obviously couldn’t help himself on the prank day of all prank days. Instead of horseback riding, Patriots fans would much rather see Judon get healthy and get back on the horse of being one of the most feared sack artists in the NFL.

Matthew Judon jokingly gets roasted by teammate for GM skills

Patriots linebacker jokingly roasted Matthew Judon’s GM skills

New England Patriots linebacker Mathew Judon has been known to recruit and play the role of general manager on social media in an attempt to get marquee free agents to come to the Patriots.

Unfortunately, his efforts have not worked so far. Many have taken notice, with one teammate jokingly roasting him for his GM skills.

A Patriots fan on social media called the pass-rusher the “worst GM in the league.” Ja’Whaun Bentley agreed with the fan and jokingly posted a succinct answer on X.

It appears not even Judon is safe from his own teammates.

Free agency is still going strong, and New England still has an opportunity to make moves. If there was ever a time for Judon to redeem himself, it would be now.

The Patriots still need to address several areas, with options dwindling.

Matthew Judon makes interesting case for Patriots’ No. 3 draft pick

Matthew Judon gave his two cents on how the Patriots should approach the No. 3 draft pick

New England Patriots linebacker Matthew Judon offered his take on who the Patriots should pick with the third overall selection in the 2024 NFL draft.

While others are pushing for the team to draft a quarterback, Judon suggested the Patriots trade down, collect more draft capital and select Georgia tight end Brock Bowers.

Bowers was one of the most dynamic players in college football. The tight end tallied 56 catches for 714 yards and six touchdowns last season. It was quite the end to a solid career. He tallied 175 catches for 2,538 yards and 26 touchdowns over the course of three seasons.

Judon stated his case on “Good Morning Football,” as transcribed by Pro Football Network’s Dakota Randall.

The linebacker certainly may be in the minority here. There is no doubt that Bowers is a dynamic weapon. However, quarterback has been the top position talked about for New England over the course of the pre-draft cycle.

They could use a new franchise face at the position, but they also need draft capital to continue filling out their roster. We have a little over a month to go before a decision is ultimately made.

Patriots LB Matthew Judon makes pitch to two former Alabama players to join him in New England

Patriots LB makes the case for two former Alabama players to join him in New England

Over the last five to ten years, no team in the NFL has struggled more with finding skill players than the New England Patriots. Whether it was whiffing on Hunter Henry and Jonnu Smith in free agency, or some bad draft picks like N’Keal Harry, the roster just simply has not been that good. Nobody knows the struggles better than former Alabama quarterback [autotag]Mac Jone[/autotag]s who has been tasked with winning with the roster.

Heading into 2024, a new leaf has been turned in Foxborough as the Pats and longtime head coach and general manager Bill Belichick parted ways. Belichick is widely regarded as the greatest coach of all-time, but hiss inability to bring in young talent was a big reason for that.

Now, Patriots superstar LB Matthew Judon is making the case for [autotag]Calvin Ridley[/autotag] and [autotag]Josh Jacobs[/autotag] to join him up North. Jacobs has been one of the most productive running backs in the league over the past five years with the Raiders and would be the best New England has had in some time. Ridley has been a bit spotty as he has missed time due to personal matter and suspensions, but when he has been on the field he’d been as productive as anyone.

In 2023, Ridley posted 76 receptions for 1,016 yards and eight touchdowns with the Jaguars. In 2022, Jacobs was the NFL rushing champion and this past season he led the way in Las Vegas with 1,101 yards and six touchdowns.

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Matthew Judon thinks some team should ‘hire that guy’ Bill Belichick

Matthew Judon gave an honest assessment of Bill Belichick’s coaching abilities

New England Patriots linebacker Matthew Judon emphatically supported Bill Belichick in a recent appearance on “Good Morning Football.”

Judon knows Belichick’s coaching knowledge firsthand. Belichick was not picked up by a team after departing from the Patriots in January. This marks the first time that the legendary coach will not be on a sideline in 30 years.

Judon noted that the change from Belichick to coach Jerod Mayo would be a fresh start. However, like many others, he believes Belichick should still be coaching.

“I would say, ‘Hire that guy,’” Judon said, as transcribed by MassLive.com. “He’s going to be great for the organization. He’s going to be great for the team.”

“I would also have to tell them about the downfalls,” Judon added. “It might not be too many smiles you get out the dude. It might not be too many laughs and jokes you might get out of him with the media and stuff. The press, you might have some pushback on that. But I think as a hire, as a head coach. It’s hard to get better as a head coach.”

Judon looks to serve in the veteran pass-rusher role on a defense that has ranked amongst the best in the NFL over the past couple of seasons. He is also not afraid to go to bat for his former coach, whose football future remains uncertain.

Matthew Judon opens up on Bill Belichick exit and transition to new coaching staff

Matthew Judon paid respect to Bill Belichick, but he also admitted there’s renewed energy under the new coaching staff

New England Patriots linebacker Matthew Judon supported the changing of the guard at the head coaching position, when speaking on NFL Network’s “Good Morning Football” on Wednesday.

Judon has been a pillar of the Patriots defense ever since he was signed by New England in March 2021. Injuries cut his season short last year, but it did not diminish from what has been a solid Patriots career so far. He has tallied 32 sacks in three seasons with New England and has been to two Pro Bowls.

He has watched the team struggle through its transition from the Tom Brady era with Bill Belichick running the show, and he believes it’s time for a fresh start.

“Belichick was a great coach. I looked up to him. I think he’s one of the best to ever do it at the clip that he did it and the high level I.Q. that he had. It was amazing to learn from him,” said Judon. “But I think with him leaving, there’s just new energy and new life in the building. Sometimes, I think it’s just time.

“I think with the hire of Mayo and bringing in somebody that’s been actually there for those years, that kind of understands player perspective and coaching and also how Coach Belichick actually ran the system—I think bringing in somebody like that instead of somebody that’s outside that didn’t know at all kind of helped us. It kind of helped because I think Mayo’s seen it go in one way, and he’s kind of trying to get it to go a different way. So, we got new life. We got new expectations.”

Time will tell how the results play out on the field, as New England looks to navigate a difficult road in the post-Belichick era. How New England adapts to the changes this season alone will be very telling.

Matthew Judon makes pitch for Patriots to sign these two offensive weapons

Matthew Judon wants the Patriots to sign these two offensive playmakers

New England Patriots linebacker Matthew Judon had two names in mind when thinking of impact offensive playmakers that the team should consider signing in free agency.

The Patriots’ top pass-rusher and unofficial recruiter was at it again when appearing on “Good Morning Football” on Wednesday. He made pitches for Jacksonville Jaguars free agent wide receiver Calvin Ridley and Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs.

“Calvin Ridley, come on over to the red, white and blue. We have a spot for you. Nobody wears zero. It’s all yours. I think you wear like a size nine cleat, we got all the size nine cleats,” said Judon. “…And then, we have a great running back, and we just need another one. So I’m saying, Josh Jacobs, come on out of Nevada. They haven’t treated you well. You won a rushing title, and nobody even talk about it.

“You do that in New England—No. 1 selling jersey, I’m just saying. I think you and Mondre (Rhamondre Stevenson) would be a great one-two punch. It’s a 1A, 1B type thing. I see ya’ll as that. Ya’ll will never get tired. So ya’ll are going to be running crazy, especially if we don’t know who we going to have at quarterback. We definitely need good running backs.”

Wide receiver is one of the biggest needs on the Patriots’ roster. With Mike Evans, Michael Pittman Jr. and Tee Higgins off the table, Ridley has suddenly emerged as the top receiving option in free agency.

It would make sense for the Patriots to be in the thick of things with Ridley’s eventual contract negotiations.

Jacobs, on the other hand, is an interesting option. The market on running backs has greatly depreciated, which means a player with Jacobs’ elite potential might not break the bank.

But is offering Jacobs more money than simply paying to have Ezekiel Elliott return for another season worth it? As Judon noted, the Patriots already have Stevenson on the roster. Kevin Harris also showed strides as a contributor late in the 2023 season.

It might be more cost efficient to keep those two as the main running back options, while using a late-round pick in the 2024 NFL draft on a pass-catching back.

One thing is clear, however: The Patriots are in desperate need of offensive playmakers. Whether it’s Ridley, Jacobs or someone else, you’d be hard-pressed to find anyone upset at the team for chasing potential impact players to help turn things around offensively.

Matthew Judon pitches for four-time Pro Bowl CB to join Patriots

Matthew Judon didn’t waste time trying to recruit a former four-time Pro Bowl cornerback to New England

Matthew Judon is at it again.

The New England Patriots linebacker didn’t waste any time trying to recruit cornerback Xavien Howard, who is expected to be released by the Miami Dolphins at the start of the league year.

Howard, who turns 31 this year, is a free agent for the first time in his career, and he’ll have an opportunity to play outside of Miami. The Dolphins are already paying a soon-to-be 30-year-old cornerback a lot of money, and by moving on from Howard, they can save money and try to get younger in the defensive backfield.

Leave it to Judon to shoot his shot on behalf of the rebuilding Patriots immediately after hearing the news of Howard’s release.

Howard is sure to have plenty of suitors in free agency, but the thought of him playing across from Christian Gonzalez is fun to consider. Perhaps he’d be willing to do business with a division rival to get a crack at the Dolphins twice a year.

The Patriots have bigger holes to fill on their roster, but they’d surely do their due diligence and at least pick up the phone, right?

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NFL free agency: Looking at the Ravens history with the franchise tag

With 27 pending free agents and several key players looking for big money, we’re taking a look at the Baltimore Ravens’ history with the NFL franchise tag

When the Chiefs Super Bowl parade was completed, the NFL world started to focus on 2024 entirely and the critical offseason that awaits.

As teams around the league prepare for the NFL scouting combine, the franchise tag window opens on Tuesday and closes on March 5.

Any unrestricted free agent not tagged in that period will be able to sign with any suitor when the new league year and free agency opens on March 13. (The negotiating period, when teams can reach out to agents of potential free agents to start talks, begins March 11.)

Lamar Jackson was among six players tagged last year, with two, including defensive tackle Daron Payne (Giants) and tight end Evan Engram (Jaguars) signing long-term extensions.

The 2024 salary cap hasn’t been set yet, but it’s expected to land north of $240 million, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero.

Baltimore has a long history of tagging players and getting a deal done at a later date. They have done so with five of their previous seven franchise-tagged players.

With the new league year fast approaching and Justin Madubuike or Patrick Queen likely candidates for the designation, we’re looking at the Ravens’ history with the franchise tag.