Former New England Patriots pass rusher Matthew Judon is still awaiting to sign with a new team for the 2025 season as OTAs are on the horizon.
The Patriots traded Judon last summer to the Atlanta Falcons, allowing the veteran edge rusher to have a fresh start with a different team last season. The ex-Patriot played okay in his first and only year in Atlanta, posting 41 combined tackles, nine quarterback hits, seven tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, five pass deflections, and an interception (one returned for a defensive TD).
It wasn’t a game-breaking year from Judon, but after only playing four games in New England in 2023 due to injury, it was good to see him bounce back. That said, the Falcons did not re-sign the veteran, as they went in a different direction on the defensive lineman, leaving Judon in no man's land in a free-agent market with talented names available.
However, with OTAs and mandatory minicamp coming up, Judon should have a suitor or two looking for EDGE help. But it might not be easy for the former Patriots defender, as Jadeveon Clowney is now on the open market.
The Carolina Panthers released Clowney on Thursday after only one year with the club. The veteran defender signed a two-year, $20 million contract with the Panthers last offseason.
The #Panthers are releasing edge rusher Jadeveon Clowney, per sources. pic.twitter.com/apRKKoWcjN
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) May 8, 2025
Clowney almost had similar numbers to Judon in 2024, recording 46 combined tackles, 11 QB hits, nine tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, and four pass deflections.
However, when you look at the advanced stats on Pro Football Focus, it tells a different story, which isn’t good for Judon.
According to PFF, Clowney had a 73.2 pass rush grade (30th among 211 EDGEs) and a 63.4 run defense grade (84th). He also possessed a 70.8 overall grade (47th). As for Judon, he had a 53.9 pass rush grade (161st), a 53.6 run defense grade (160th), and an overall grade of 43 (194).
If you went solely based on PFF grades, it’s an easy choice on which pass rusher should be signed next, and it's not Judon.
Also, Clowney recently had a 9.5 sack season with the Baltimore Ravens in 2023, while Judon is a couple of years removed from his 15.5 sack season in 2022. Things aren’t looking great for the former Patriot, who could be waiting a little bit longer for his next opportunity.