After losing rookie linebacker Bralen Trice to a season-ending injury in the first preseason game of the year against the Dolphins last Friday, the Falcons wasted little time in finding a veteran replacement.
According to various reports, Atlanta is sending a 2025 third-round pick to the New England Patriots in exchange for pass-rusher Matthew Judon.
Looking for a new contract this offseason while being scheduled to make $6.5 million in the last year of his current deal, Judon was a camp holdout for the Pats. No word yet on if the Falcons have a new deal in place for Judon.
The Falcons lost their two top pass-rushers in free agency from the 2023 season - Bud Dupree and Calais Campbell, who both finished with 6.5 sacks.
The 31-year-old Judon played in only four games in 2023 due to a torn bicep, and finished with four sacks. He combined for 28 sacks in 2021-22 seasons. Judon will look to upgrade a Falcons pass rush unit that finished with 21 sacks in 2022 and 42 sacks in 2023.