The Philadelphia Eagles are loaded and among the favorites to repeat as Super Bowl champions.
Yet, according to fans and writers alike, the team could use some additional help rushing the passer. That is why the team was urged to sign veteran game-wrecking outside linebacker Matthew Judon.
Judon is a four-time Pro Bowler best known for his three standout seasons with the New England Patriots. He has 72 career sacks and one interception over his 131-game NFL career that started in 2016 with the Baltimore Ravens.
Why Should The Philadelphia Eagles Sign Matthew Judon?
Judon is a classic Howie Roseman reclamation project, according to Nick Halden of the FanSided Philadelphia sports blog “Section 215.”
“Judon’s time with New England established the veteran as one of the more consistent pass-rushing options in the league,” Halden wrote. “While he was never a star or among the league’s best dominating options, there was a level of reliable production.
“All of this adds up to why the Eagles should sign the veteran, hoping to breathe life back into his career. Philly already has one of the best front four groups in the league. It is the biggest factor in why the team dominated in last year’s Super Bowl run.”
Judon is coming off a 5.5-sack, 41-tackle campaign with the Atlanta Falcons in 2024, who traded a third-round pick for him to New England. That was the final year of the four-year, $54.5 million contract he signed before the 2021 season.
“Judon’s free agency search has continued after an underwhelming season in Atlanta,” Halden wrote. “He wasn’t the pass-rush fix the Falcons were hoping to find, and his production and effort both took a clear step back. Before the 2024 season, though, anytime the veteran was on the field, double-digit sacks were the expectation.”
But Judon is still wallowing unsigned on the free-agent market, though the Detroit Lions, San Francisco 49ers and Kansas City Chiefs — each rivals of the Eagles — have reportedly expressed interest with him.
Aside from keeping him away from a rival, Judon could serve as a closer-type pass rusher that could play the Haason Reddick pass-rusher role in lieu of starting Moro Ojomo as a defensive end.
“Signing Judon gives you a chance to find a surprise producer and make a great unit even better,” Holden wrote. “For Judon, it is a chance to rebuild a bit of value ahead of hitting free agency again in the 2026 season. It is a win for both sides and should be a consideration as the preseason draws closer.”
What Other Defensive Ends Can The Eagles Target?
Judon could be had for a cheap one-year deal, especially at this point in training camp. That could be crucial with the Eagles needing to get under the cap by salary-cap-compliance time ahead of the regular-season opener.
So that could limit the Eagles’ options. Za’Darius Smith, who spent the end of last season with the Lions after they acquired him from the Cleveland Browns, could be had, though he might be a costlier option.
Jadeveon Clowney, the top pick of the 2014 NFL Draft, could also be an option since he is still a free agent as well.
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