Falcons’ Matthew Judon Reportedly Chose Not to Be Traded to Certain NFC Squad

Veteran linebacker Matthew Judon is now a member of the Atlanta Falcons after the New England Patriots traded him last week. Judon will now be the anchor of the Falcons’ defense as they seek their first division title and playoff appearance since 2017.

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The Falcons are ready to prove they are the team to beat in the NFC South, and they’ll look to do so with Judon on their side. After three seasons with the Patriots, Judon is now with the third team of his career, but things could have taken a turn before he officially was traded down South. According to senior NFL insider Adam Breer, Judon’s choices were between the Falcons and the Chicago Bears.

Breer said Judon ultimately chose to be traded to the Falcons rather than the Bears.

The former fifth-round pick from Grand Valley State chose the Falcons over the up-and-coming Bears led by rookie quarterback Caleb Williams.

The competition was fierce for Judon’s services as he is still a productive defender in this league. The Patriots had offers from Chicago and Atlanta for the 32-year-old, and he ultimately fell to the Falcons because Judon preferred them.

New England Patriots executive vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf spoke to the media on Sunday for the first time since trading away Judon, explaining the thought process behind the move.

“We have to weigh now, the future, what’s best for the team, what’s best for the player,” Wolf said, “and it was something that we just felt organizationally, and for Matthew, it was probably the best for both parties.”

Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo also spoke to the media and gave his thoughts on Judon and his visible frustrations prior to the trade.

“You guys know how I feel about Judon,” Mayo said last week after his team’s preseason game with the Eagles. “And obviously he’s moving on. I felt like it was a win-win for both parties, and I wish him nothing but the best. I always tell the guys these are long-term relationships and nothing’s changed.”

Judon’s 2023 season was less than ideal. He only played in four games after suffering a torn lower bicep in Week 4 and was placed on the injured reserve for the rest of the season.

The Baltimore Ravens selected the four-time Pro Bowler in the fifth round with the 146th overall pick. That chapter of Judon’s career is over, and he will now look to rekindle his performance from the 2022 season, where he finished ninth in Defensive Player of the Year voting and recorded a career-high 15.5 sacks.

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