The dramatic offseason between the Patriots and Matthew Judon became the focus of the summer, spawning countless theories about the linebacker's inevitable future with the team. Most believed he would remain on the team, as he was their star pass rusher since he arrived in 2021, which made it all the more shocking when it was announced he was traded to the Falcons late in the preseason.
Most projections had Judon receiving an extension or, at the very least, filling his current contract with incentives to make up for his low 2024 salary. If any analysts were guessing about a possible trade, it certainly didn't include anything above a future fifth-round draft pick.
So when he was traded to Atlanta for a 2025 third-rounder, it looked like an absolute steal for the rebuilding Patriots, one of the first big wins for the new regime. It was clear The Falcons paid a tall price for a good player despite coming off a season-ending injury and freshly celebrating his 32nd birthday.
But once the trade was finalized, it brought on the realization that the Patriots might be in big trouble regarding their defensive line, as Judon had been the primary performer in rushing opposing quarterbacks. His former teammates had a lot of potential but hadn't shown they could handle the task of taking over in his absence, especially with Christian Barmore sidelined as well.
Fortunately, through the first two weeks of the season, a rising star has taken over the defense on his own, further proving The Patriots were the winners of a controversial preseason trade.
In the wake of Judon's trade, there were concerns about how the defensive line would fare in his absence, which hadn't looked great for most of last season.
With Barmore out due to injury, who had been the sack leader after Judon left in Week 4, the belief was that perhaps Joshua Uche would be the guy to take advantage of the opportunity. He had a career-best year in 2022, recording 11.5 sacks, and it looked like things finally clicked for the former Michigan Wolverine.
But a disappointing 2023 season didn't provide much confidence in that happening. The same could be said about Keion White, whose forgettable rookie year didn't live up to the hype he received coming out of the draft.
Perhaps a coaching change helped propel him on his way to an impressive second-year jump, or maybe it is the absence of Barmore and Judon, but White has been a dominating fixture of the Patriots' defense to start this season. He racked up four sacks in two games while adding five quarterback hits to his resume and is statistically among the league's best EDGE defenders.
As it stands, he is already projected to have an outrageous number of sacks by season's end.
Meanwhile, Judon has had a slow start to the season in Atlanta through the first two games. So far, he has recorded just 1.5 sacks and two quarterback hits. There's plenty of time for him to replicate what he did in New England, but so far, White looks like the winner of the trade.
If he can maintain the type of production he has shown through the first two weeks of the season, The Patriots look to have easily found their Judon replacement and didn't have to go far to accomplish it. He has taken on this new role very seriously and has already shown more leadership qualities in the locker room, which is even more impressive for such a young player.
Keeping that up for the rest of the season would prove that the Patriots won the Judon trade and (might have) fleeced the Falcons in the process.
The Patriots' New Era
The trade of Judon came with a lot of uncertainty about how the Patriots would handle the departure of their top defensive player. With the team looking to find success under their new head coach, Jerod Mayo, and their recently selected QB Drake Maye, they decided to part with Judon, despite his impressive track record with the team. This decision highlighted the team's commitment to building a fresh team identity and moving on from the Belichick era.
Judon's Perspective
Despite the trade, Judon is focused on showcasing his talent in Atlanta and proving his worth to the team. He's playing on the same contract he had with the Patriots, and he's looking to secure a larger contract when he becomes a free agent after the current season. In his view, the trade is a new opportunity for him to demonstrate his skills and earn a bigger payday in the future.
The Future of the Trade
While the early performance of Keion White suggests that the Patriots may have won the trade, the season is still young. Judon could still regain his form with the Falcons, making the final assessment of the trade's outcome more complicated. The success of both teams hinges on their respective players' performance and future decisions.
The Next Chapter
The Judon trade marks a new chapter for both teams and players. The Patriots are building their team identity under Mayo, while Judon is on a mission to prove his worth and secure a larger contract in the future. The rest of the season will reveal whether this controversial trade was a strategic victory for the Patriots or a misstep that could have a significant impact on both teams' futures.
