Raheem Morris, Falcons players react to Matthew Judon news

Morris believes the Pro Bowl pass rusher has “game-breaking” potential, while his future teammates like what he’ll bring to the locker room. Terrine Waack

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. – The emotion is obvious.

The Atlanta Falcons have agreed to terms on a trade that would send a 2025 third-round pick to the New England Patriots for wide receiver Matthew Judon, they announced Thursday. The transaction is pending Judon’s physical. But the buzz is already real.

“Anytime you can add a dog, really, to your group and be able to make him a part of it, that’s exciting,” Falcons head coach Raheem Morris said. “I think we’re excited for it. I think he’s excited about it. I think a few of our players who know him personally are excited for it.

“His reputation precedes himself.”

Judon is a fifth-round pick who became a four-time Pro Bowler. The Baltimore Ravens drafted Judon in 2016 out of Grant Valley State University. And it has thrived ever since. His first Pro Bowl season came in 2019 while still with the Ravens. He started all 16 games for the first time in his career and totaled what was then a personal best 9.5 sacks. That was in addition to four forced fumbles, 33 quarterback hits and 54 combined tackles.

That 2019 season was the first of four consecutive Pro Bowl years for Judon. It was in 2022 with the Patriots, however, that Judon turned in his best performance to date with 15.5 sacks, 28 quarterback hits and 60 combined tackles. He also had a fumble recovery, two forced fumbles and three pass breakups that year.

“The Pro Bowl thing is impressive,” Morris said. “But I actually went over there and he played against this dog when he was in Baltimore when I was here in 2016; I remember (receiver) Mohamed Sanu had to screen him and he was like, ‘Man, I’m not doing that.’ And he said, “Let’s spread this thing, man, let the big people block the big people, man.” To have that kind of reminder from that kind of player — what he does and what he can bring to the table — is always fun.”

Judon played against the Falcons twice – in 2018 with the Ravens and in 2021 with the Patriots. He was part of the winning team each time and was responsible for a sack against former quarterback Matt Ryan in 2021.

With 66.5 career sacks to his name, including two double-digit seasons in the past three years, the Falcons hope Judon can provide the kind of pressure fans have been clamoring for. It’s the type of move that Morris has first-hand experience with and understands the type of impact it can have on a team.

“You have a guy with the ability to come in here and be a game breaker for you right now, you realize those things,” Morris said. “I have a real key factor. We did that in LA with Von (Miller). We got him in the midseason trade, he was able to come in (and) turn into a breakout game. We had a chance to see the Von playoffs I got a ring because of him.

The Denver Broncos traded Miller, a linebacker, to the Los Angeles Rams on November 1, 2021 for second- and third-round picks in the 2022 NFL Draft. Miller went on to start the remaining eight games for the Rams, making 31 tackles, five sacks and eight tackles for loss. Los Angeles then made the playoffs and eventually won Super Bowl LVI. In the postseason alone, Miller had 14 tackles, four sacks, six tackles for loss.

Morris did not say whether Soirii views the 32-year-old judo as a long-term solution.

“You never know what these things can turn into,” Morris said. “But I know what we get in this job: the mentality of the dog. The guy we talked about (is) the absolute edge setter, an all-purpose pass rusher, a proven commodity outside of this league the last couple of years. “

What Falcons players had to say about Judon after Thursday’s practice:

Safety Jessie Bates III: “We’re going to take him all day. You don’t get guys like that that come up and you can get someone like that before the season. He’s someone who’s been playing at a high level in this league for a very long time. We’ve got the same group of management so I’m familiar with him and the person he is as well and I feel like Terry and the boys on the stairs have done a really good job good footballers but also really good people I feel that’s what we want to be about : a great player who is consistent, you can count on him, but also a great man and a great teammate. So happy to have him, for sure.”

Quarterback Michael Penix Jr.: “It’s a good time. I’m going against the 1s in training and he’s going to be there whenever I’m up, so there’s going to be a lot of great appearances. The guys we’ve got now, they’ve given me shows great, but to add him to the team is definitely special.”

Wide receiver Drake London: “Very exciting. Anything that helps this team win, I’m all for it. He’s on the defensive end, so I’ll let them handle that. But I’m really excited for him to come here and make an impact.”

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