The Atlanta Falcons have made a bold move to bolster their defense by agreeing to terms on a trade that would bring pass rusher Matthew Judon to the team. The Falcons will send a 2025 third-round draft pick to the New England Patriots in exchange for Judon, pending a physical examination.

Head coach Raheem Morris expressed his excitement about the acquisition, stating, "Anytime you can add a dog, really, to your group and have him be able to come be a part of that, that is exciting. I think we have excitement for that. I think he has excitement for that. I think a couple of our players that actually know him personally have excitement for that." Morris believes that Judon has the potential to be a "game-wrecker" on the field.

Matthew Judon, a fifth-round draft pick out of Grant Valley State University, has proven himself as a formidable pass rusher throughout his career. He earned four Pro Bowl selections, starting with his breakout season in 2019 with the Baltimore Ravens, where he recorded 9.5 sacks, four forced fumbles, 33 quarterback hits, and 54 combined tackles.

In 2022, with the Patriots, Judon had his best performance yet, tallying 15.5 sacks, 28 quarterback hits, 60 combined tackles, a fumble recovery, two forced fumbles, and three pass breakups. His impressive track record caught the attention of Falcons head coach Morris, who fondly recalled facing Judon on the field in 2016 when he was with the Ravens.

With 66.5 career sacks to his name, including two double-digit-sack seasons in the last three years, the Falcons are hopeful that Judon can bring much-needed pressure off the edge. This acquisition aligns with Morris's past experience of bringing in impact players mid-season, highlighting the success he had in Los Angeles with Von Miller, which resulted in a Super Bowl victory.

While Morris did not mention whether the Falcons see Judon as a long-term solution, he emphasized the importance of the "dog mentality" and the consistent results Judon has delivered as a pass rusher. The Falcons are eager to see the impact that Judon will make on the team.

Falcons players are equally thrilled about the arrival of Judon. Safety Jessie Bates III praised the management for bringing in a player of Judon's caliber, highlighting his high level of play and commendable character. Quarterback Michael Penix Jr. expressed excitement about the competition that Judon will bring to practice, while wide receiver Drake London eagerly anticipates the impact Judon will make on the defense.

The addition of Matthew Judon to the Falcons' roster has ignited excitement among the coaching staff and players alike. With his proven ability to disrupt opposing offenses, the Falcons hope that Judon will contribute to their pursuit of success in the upcoming season.