The Patriots have traded 4-time Pro Bowl edge-rusher Matthew Judon to the Falcons for a third-round pick.
The Patriots have just lost one of the best free agent signings of the Bill Belichick era. And unquestionably the best Patriots player since Tom Brady left. A high-energy, productive, 3-down defender who, without a doubt, was a fan favourite.
Judon was entering the final season of a four-year, $54.5 million contract that was to pay him $6.5 million in base salary, and he was seeking a new deal with New England.
With Judon no longer in the picture, it opens a massive opportunity in New England’s front seven for a Patriots edge rusher to step up and become a defensive game-wrecker. The Patriots have a few candidates who could emerge with Judon gone, but none of them seem as ready to take over that role as Keion White.
White, who the Patriots selected in the second round out of Georgia Tech in last year’s draft, appears poised for a breakout season after flashing during his rookie campaign. He played in 16 games a season ago—he started in four of them—and compiled 26 tackles, three tackles for loss, one sack, five quarterback hits, and three passes defended.
