By most accounts, the New England Patriots don’t plan to commerce franchise pass-rusher Matthew Judon. In accordance with Jerod Mayo, each events are apparently previous a considerably testy contract stalemate from earlier this summer season, as Judon has been collaborating in coaching camp.
With the suitable name and commerce supply, although, this Judon state of affairs may flip on a dime.
In accordance with ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, “a number of groups” have apparently inquired a couple of potential commerce for the four-time Professional Bowler and perennial Defensive Participant of the Yr candidate. Even when Judon is training now and getting set for an additional season with New England, it’s value noting that he nonetheless doesn’t have a brand new deal from the Patriots. Barring any developments over the following few weeks, he appears liable to change into an unrestricted free agent this offseason, which may put the onus on the Patriots to dump the 31-year-old in the event that they don’t wish to decide to him as a substitute of dropping him for nothing.
Listed here are just a few NFL groups which may have already referred to as about Judon and who may sweeten the pot sufficient to get the star defender into their uniform.
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The Falcons may need bolstered their offense with Kirk Cousins, a quarterback who can (cough, cough) persistently full a ahead move. However they nonetheless want extra bona fide defensive stoppers up entrance. An ageing Grady Jarrett isn’t practically sufficient for a crew that hopes to make a deep NFC playoff push. Already stocked with elite defensive backs like Jessie Bates III and A.J. Terrell, Judon would give the Falcons much-needed pass-rushing juice.
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Leonard Williams was a strong commerce deadline addition for Seattle final 12 months, however he’s not practically sufficient as a pass-rusher to compete in a stacked NFC West. On the time of this publishing, the Seahawks’ beginning edge gamers are glorified swingmen Jarran Reed and Uchena Nwosu. Throwing Judon into the combination would give the Seahawks a a lot more healthy and strong pecking order up entrance.
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Empowered by head coach Matt Eberflus’s defensive scheme, Montez Sweat regarded like a real game-wrecker after the Bears acquired him on the 2023 deadline. The primary-time Professional Bowler is now locked in as Chicago’s franchise pass-rusher, however he doesn’t have a reputable working mate. Promising rookie Austin Booker may present flashes every now and then, nevertheless it’ll doubtless be at the least a 12 months or two earlier than he’s able to change into a full-fledged, difference-making starter. Enter Judon, a savvy vet who’s been across the block and would probably dominate alongside Sweat whereas filling within the hole till then.
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For the primary time in ages, the Lions will enter an NFL season as a prohibitive Tremendous Bowl favourite. Heck, I’m definitely choosing them to win the NFC. But when Detroit actually desires to go excessive, getting a field-tilting edge defender like Judon to pair with the athletic Aidan Hutchinson appears like a prudent transfer for basic supervisor Brad Holmes. I like Marcus Davenport, however he’s in all probability higher as a No. 3 pass-rusher relatively than a full-time sidekick.
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Offensive play was not the Colts’ subject in 2023. Even with backup quarterback Gardner Minshew pressured to step in for an injured Anthony Richardson, Shane Steichen’s crew engineered one of many NFL’s higher assaults. The issue was that Indianapolis typically couldn’t cease a nosebleed. I like lots of the Colts’ entrance seven gamers. I don’t like somebody like Tyquan Lewis sufficient to not advocate for Judon to push him into extra of a situational position.
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Fast, identify a single participant on the Cardinals’ present beginning protection. No, you possibly can’t say perennial Professional Bowler Budda Baker. (Waits) Oh, you couldn’t consider stout rotational sort out Bilal Nichols?
For disgrace!
In all seriousness, I recognize the Cardinals’ defensive make-up. They don’t have many long-term investments on this facet of the ball, as they’re banking on fill-ins earlier than step by step including new, hopeful foundational items. However the plan appears sound general. Relying on how shortly Arizona desires to cope with Kyler Murray and Marvin Harrison Jr. once more, including somebody as skilled and gifted as Judon for the following a number of years would make lots of sense. And I do know Baker would love working in tandem with him.
