The Atlanta Falcons are loading up for a run within the NFC South.
Atlanta acquired edge rusher Matthew Judon from the New England Patriots for a third-round choose on Thursday.
Judon signed as a free agent with New England forward of the 2021 season, however the four-time Professional-Bowler had said his dissatisfaction along with his present contract. He has a base wage of $6.5 million this season and is looking for a brand new deal.
Firstly of Patriots coaching camp, Judon advised the media that he wish to be among the many highest-paid linebackers coming into the brand new season. Nonetheless, Judon stated he understands he must honour his deal, which runs via the 2024 season.
“My signature’s on it, so I received to play on it. Do I believe that’s my worth? No. However, once more, that’s less than me. I hope I can proceed to play right here and be a catalyst to among the best defences within the league. If that’s not the case, that’s not the case,” Judon stated. “It’s onerous to not be jealous or envious. However actually, I’ve received to deal with myself. As a lot as everybody would really like me to remain round right here for a very long time, it’s less than me. I might pay myself some huge cash and be cool with it.”
The 31-year-old missed the ultimate 13 video games of final season due to a torn bicep he suffered throughout a Week 4 loss to the Dallas Cowboys. Judon led the crew with 4 sacks earlier than getting injured.
In 2022, Judon completed ninth in Defensive Participant of the Yr voting after recording 60 tackles and 15.5 sacks over 17 video games performed.
He’ll now be part of a Falcons crew that completed final season third in its division with a 7-10 file and is trying to return to the post-season for the primary time since 2017 underneath new quarterback Kirk Cousins.
The Falcons pursued the commerce for Judon after dropping rookie edge rusher Bralen Trice to a season-ending knee harm of their first preseason sport at Miami.
Trice, a third-round choose from the College of Washington, was competing for a beginning job after main the nation in quarterback pressures the final two seasons.
Trice had been listed because the No. 2 outdoors linebacker behind Arnold Ebikeite earlier than the harm.
Atlanta has traditionally lacked manufacturing within the pass-rushing division. John Abraham holds the single-season franchise file with 16.5 sacks in 2008, and just one different time in franchise historical past has a participant taken down the opposing quarterback greater than 15 occasions.
— With recordsdata from The Related Press
