Despite the 4-13 record last season, the New England Patriots defense still finished as one of the league’s best units. That was even after they lost a pair of their top defenders to injury early in the season, which included star pass rusher Matthew Judon.
A healthy Judon is now ready to return in 2024 where he will hope to regain his form and provide the Patriots’ pass rush a major boost. But, a murky contract situation may first need to be sorted out.
Hard facts
Name: Matthew Judon
Position: Edge/Outside linebacker
Opening day age: 32 (8/15/1992)
Size: 6’3”, 270 lbs
Jersey number: 9
Contract status: Signed through 2024 (2025 UFA)
Experience
Judon played his college football at Grand Valley State, where he set the Division II record for sacks, before being drafted in the fifth-round of the 2015 NFL Draft by the Baltimore Ravens.
Playing minimal snaps early in his career as he was part of a depth chart that featured Terrell Suggs, Za’Darius Smith, Elvis Dumervil, etc. Judon recorded 4.0 sacks in 14 games as a sub-rusher his rookie year.
Quickly named a starter entering his second season, Judon’s production took off as a key part of the Ravens defense. The pass rusher tallied 24.5 sacks over the next three seasons which led to Baltimore franchise tagging him prior to the 2020 season. Playing on the tag, recorded just six sacks but was elected to his second straight Pro Bowl.
Hitting free agency in 2021, Judon was part of a record-breaking spending spree by the Patriots as they agreed on a four-year, $56 million contract. He instantly proved his worth as he tallied a career-high 12.5 sacks en route to his third straight Pro Bowl appearance. Judon then upped his tally the following year with 15.5 sacks.
2023 review
Stats: 4 games (2 starts) | 184 defensive snaps | 16 total pressures (4.0 sacks, 5 QB hits, 7 hurries), 13 total tackles, 5 tackles for loss, 6 run stops, 1 safety
Season recap: After posting a career-high 15.5 sacks in 2022, Judon’s 2023 campaign got off to a fast start as he looked ready to repeat his Pro Bowl season. In the first month of the season, Judon pass the Patriots pass rush as he recorded 4.0 sacks and 16 total quarterback pressures.
Unfortunately for the star pass rusher, a play late in a Week 4 blowout loss saw Judon tear his bicep resulting in him missing the rest of the season. Without him, the Patriots pass rush suffered as New England finished 27th in sacks (36).
Patriots preview
What will be his role? Back healthy, Judon should return to his usual role along the edge on the Patriots defense. While he typically has played a three-down role (averaging 70- to 80-percent of the team's defensive snaps) it would not be a surprise to see Judon featured less on early downs after Anfernee Jennings’ emergence last season. Judon will still pace the Patriots pass rush on a defense that plans on being more aggressive this season.
What is his growth potential? There isn’t much room to grow for the soon-to-be 32-year old coming off a season-ending bicep injury. But, the Patriots may just need Judon to keep his level of play where it’s been throughout his New England tenure which has featured 32 sacks in 38 games.
Does he have positional versatility? As a high-level on-ball linebacker, Judon does not move around New England’s defense much — despite flipping from the left and right sides. He also is not a usual on special teams after playing nine total snaps over the last two seasons.
What is his salary cap situation? Perhaps the biggest wonder with Judon is his contract. After advancing his 2024 salary to 2023 last summer during an unofficial “hold-in”, Judon is now in the final year of his deal — carrying a cap hit of $14.6 million — with no guaranteed money remaining. While he was a full participant in mandatory minicamp this offseason after sharing last year’s way of handling things was “trash”, an adjustment may still be on the horizon.
How safe is his roster spot? Locked-in. Barring a contract dispute that steers things sideways and leads to a trade, Judon will be on the 53-man roster and a key piece to the Patriots’ defensive success this year.
One-sentence projection: While the contract will remain something to monitor, a now healthy Judon should help the Patriots pass rush return to one of the best in the league.
