Matt Judon

Matthew Judon was signed by the New England Patriots as an unrestricted free agent from Baltimore on March 19, 2021. Originally drafted by Baltimore in the fifth round (146th overall) of the 2016 NFL Draft. Named franchise player by Baltimore and signed his tender (5/28/20).

CAREER TRANSACTIONS

Matthew Judon was signed by the New England Patriots as an unrestricted free agent from Baltimore on March 19, 2021. Originally drafted by Baltimore in the fifth round (146th overall) of the 2016 NFL Draft. Named franchise player by Baltimore and signed his tender (5/28/20).

SEASONAL REVIEWS

2022 (17/15)

• Had a career-high four quarterback hits in the season opener at Miami (9/11). Also recorded five tackles and his first sack of the season for a loss of nine yards.
• Sacked Steelers quarterback Mitch Trubisky for a 4-yard loss with three seconds to play in the first half at Pittsburgh (9/8). It was his 49th career sack.
• Sacked Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson on the first offensive play of the game in the home opener vs. Baltimore (9/25). It was his 50th career sack. He is the 9th active linebacker with 50 career sacks.
• Has registered a sack in each of the first four games after a 7-yard sack of QB Aaron Rodgers in the first quarter at Green Bay (10/2). He is just the second New England player to start a season with at least one sack in each of the first four games to start a season. Patriots and Pro Football Hall of Famer Andre Tippett began the 1986 season with one sack in each of the first four games.
• Part of the defensive unit that pitched a shutout vs. Detroit (10/9), who entered the game with the top-ranked offense in the NFL. Became the first Patriots player to start a season with a sack in each of the first five games with a 2-sack performance against Detroit. He had a 9-yard sack of QB Jared Goff in the second quarter and then forced a fumble on a 13-yard sack later in the second quarter. The last player in the NFL to accomplish a sack in the first five games of the season was LB Clay Matthews with the Los Angeles Rams in 2019 when he had a sack in each of the first six games of the season. Judon surpassed Patriots and Pro Football Hall of Famer Andre Tippett, who began the 1986 season with one sack in each of the first four games. Judon's 6 sacks through the first five games are second to the team record 6 ½ sacks he had in the first five games of the 2021 season. Had his ninth career game with at least two sacks, including his third as a member of the Patriots.
• Earned AFC Defensive Player of the Week for his performance vs. Detroit (10/9).
• Part of the defensive unit that held Cleveland, who entered the game with the top ranked rushing attack, to 70 rushing yards. It was the first time this season the Browns had less than 170 rushing yards (10/16). Tackled Browns QB Jacobi Brissett for no gain on a fourth-and-1 to give the defense their seventh straight hold on fourth down after holding Detroit six times last game. Had four tackles.
• Had his 10th career game with at least two sacks and second two-sack game of the 2022 season after recording 2 ½ sacks in the second quarter vs. Chicago (10/24). It is the second time in his career that he has had two two-sack games in a season. He also accomplished the feat in 2017 with Baltimore and in 2021 with New England. He has had two sacks in the two games he played against Chicago. He had two sacks on Oct. 15, 2017 when he played for Baltimore. He split a 9-yard sack with LB Mack Wilson in the second quarter and then had a 0-yard sack and an 8-yard sack in the second quarter to increase his season total to 8 ½ sack which leads the league following Week 7 games. Also tipped a pass by Bears QB Justin Fields that was intercepted by DB Myles Bryant.
• Had his second career three-sack game and his third multi-sack game of the season with sacks of 3 and 8 yards in the first quarter and a 9-yard sack in the third quarter vs. Indianapolis (11/6). It was his 11th multi-sack game of his career, including his fifth with the Patriots. With the three sacks, he increased his 2022 sack total to 11 ½ sacks, becoming the fourth Patriots player with back-to-back seasons with double digit sack totals. He finished with a career-high 12 ½ sacks in 2021. He is the first to do so during the Bill Belichick era. Judon joins Garin Veris (10 in 1985 and 11 in 1986), Andre Tippett (18 1/2 in 1984 and 16 1/2 in 1985) and Tony McGee (12 in 1977, 11 1/2 in 1978 and 10 1/2 in 1979). Judon joins Tippett (3), McGee (3), Veris (2) and Chandler Jones (2) as the only Patriots to register more than one double-digit sack total in a season. LB Josh Uche also had three sacks in the game. It was the second time in team history that the Patriots have had two players reach three sacks in a game. Don Blackmon and Andre Tippett each had a three-sack game on Sept. 9, 1985 vs. Green Bay. Judon and Uche are the first Patriots players with three sacks in a game since DL Deatrich Wise JR. had three sacks at vs. Baltimore on Sept. 25, 2022. It is the first game with a pair of teammates with at least three sacks since Aaron Donald and Troy Reeder in Week 5 of the 2020 season with the Los Angeles Rams. His sacks were three of the nine sacks the defense had, which is a season high and tied for the most under Coach Belichick. One of Judon's sacks came on third down in third quarter to hold the Colts to a field goal. Judon was a key part of the defensive unit that forced the Colts to go 0-for-14 on third down and allowed just 121 total yards of offense. Also stuffed RB Deon Jackson on fourth-and-1 to force a turnover on downs.
• Recorded 5 total tackles (3 solo, 1 assist) and 1 ½ sacks vs. N.Y. Jets (11/20). With his 1 ½ sacks, he increased his season total to a career-high 13 sacks. He combined with LB Mack Wilson on a 9-yard sack in the third quarter and recorded his own 9-yard sack in the fourth quarter, both of which came on third downs. . It is the most sacks in a season by a player under Bill Belichick and the third-most in a season in team history. Andre Tippett is the only Patriots who has ever had more sacks in a season with 18 ½ in 1984 and 16 ½ in 1985. Judson is on pace to finish the season with 22 sacks. Only five NFL players have finished the season with at least 22 sacks. Was part of the defensive unit that held the Jets to just 103 total yards, the third-fewest yards allowed in Patriots history, only two total yards in the second half, the fewest ever allowed in a half in Patriots history, only six first touchdowns and no touchdowns.
• Had three total tackles (2 solo, 1 assist) vs. Buffalo (12/1). Also had a fumble recovery after LB Josh Uche forced a strip sack.
• Combined with DL Lawrence Guy on a 5-yard sack in the first quarter and then added a 13-yard sack in the fourth quarter at Arizona (12/12) to increase his total to 14 ½ sacks and tie Nick Bosa for the NFL Lead. Judon is on pace to finish with 19 sacks. Andre Tippett is the only Patriots player to have more sacks in a season than Judon with 18 ½ in 1984 and 16 ½ in 1985. WithJudon leading the team with 14 ½ sacks and LB Josh Uche reaching 10 sacks, the Patriots have two players reach double-digit sacks for the fourth time in team history (1977, 1985, 2011 and 2022). In 1977 Tony McGee (12.0) and Ray Hamilton (10.0) finished with double digit sacks, in 1985 Andre Tippett (16.5) and Garin Veris (10.0) reached at least 10 sacks and then in 2011 Andre Carter (10.0) and Mark Anderson (10.0) both reached double-digit sacks.
• Had six total tackles (5 solo, 1 assist) vs. Cincinnati (12/24). Also registered a 3-yard sack in the second quarter to increase his 2022 total 15½ sacks. Andree Tippett is the only New England player to have more sacks in a season than Judon. Tippett had 18½ in 1984 and 16½ in 1985.
• Had three total tackles (2 solo, 1 assist) at Buffalo (1/8).

2021 (17/6, 1/0)

• Started at OLB in the nickel package vs. Miami (9/12) and recorded three tackles and a QB hit.
• Recorded his first Patriots sack at N.Y. Jets (9/19).
• Registered 2.5 sacks vs. New Orleans (9/26), the 7th multi-sack game of his career.
• Tallied a sack for the third straight game when he dropped QB Tom Brady for an eight-yard loss in the second quarter vs. Tampa Bay (10/3), the third time he has had a stretch of three straight games with at least a half a sack. Posted seven tackles in the game as a starting linebacker.
• Registered two sacks in a three-play sequence in the second quarter at Houston (10/10) to up his total to 6.5 sacks for the season. It is the 8th time in his career that he has had a multi-sack game and the second time in 2021 (2.5 sacks vs. New Orleans on 9/26).
• Set a team record with 6.5 sacks through the first five games. The previous record was 5.5 sacks by Chandler Jones in 2015 and Andre Tippett in 1984.
• Recorded a sack in four straight games to become the first Patriots player with a sack in four straight games since Jamie Collins and Chase Winovich, who both had sacks in four straight games in 2019.
• Started at linebacker vs. Dallas (10/17) and tallied six total tackles and a QB hit.
• Saw significant snaps on defense with limited time on special teams as a starter vs. N.Y. Jets (10/24).
• Finished with 1 1/2 sacks at L.A. Chargers (10/31), his third game in 2021 with more than one sack. He had 2 1/2 sacks vs. New Orleans on Sept. 26 and 2 sacks at Houston on Oct. 10.
• Registered his 9th sack of the season at Carolina (11/7) when he dropped Sam Darnold for a 10-yard loss in the fourth quarter. He had a career-high of 9 1/2 sacks in 2019 with Baltimore.
• Combined with Dont'a Hightower on a 9-yard sack in the third quarter vs. Cleveland (11/14) to tie his single-season career high with 9 1/2 sacks. He had 9 1/2 sacks in 2019 with Baltimore.
• Reached double-digit sacks for the first time in his career after a 9-yard sack of QB Matt Ryan in the second quarter at Atlanta (11/18) pushed his season total to 10 1/2 sacks. It is the 17th time that the Patriots have had a player reach 10 or more sacks in a season. Judon's previous best was 9 1/2 in 2019 with Baltimore.
• Increased his 2021 sack total to 11 1/2 with an 8-yard sack of Ryan Tannehill in the first quarter vs. Tennessee (11/28). He joins Tony McGee, Andre Tippett, Garin Veris, Willie McGinest, Mike Vrabel and Chandler Jones as the only Patriots players to reach 11 sacks in a season. Judon also recorded six total tackles on the day.
• Had a 9-yard sack of Josh Allen in the fourth quarter at Buffalo (12/6) to increase his season total to 12.5 sacks. Judon joins Chandler Jones (12 1/2 in 2015) and Mike Vrabel (12 1/2 in 2007) for the most sacks in a single-season by a Patriots player under Bill Belichick.
• Started at linebacker at Indianapolis (12/18) and recorded five tackles, one of which accounted for his 200th solo tackle in the NFL.
• Recorded three total tackles and his first pass defensed of the season vs. Buffalo (12/26).
• Missed most of the week due to Covid reasons, but came back and saw limited snaps vs. Jacksonville (1/2).
• Recorded three tackles and a tackle for loss at Miami (1/9) He set a new career high for tackles in a single season with 60 tackles for the season. His previous high was 58 tackles in 2017 when he was in Baltimore.
• Recorded a tackle in the Wild Card Round loss at Buffalo (1/15), adding a quarterback hit.

2020 (14/13, 2/2 - Baltimore)

• Earned his second career Pro Bowl invitation.
• Played in 14 regular-season games with 13 starts and totaled 50 tackles, six sacks, and two passes defended.
• Started both postseason contests and posted six tackles, one sack, and one forced fumble.
• Missed games at Pittsburgh (12/2) and vs. Baltimore (12/8) after being placed on Reserve/COVID-19.
• Tallied four tackles a season-high two sacks and one pass defended at Washington (10/4).
• Registered a season-high seven tackles at Indianapolis (11/8).
• Tallied six tackles and a sack vs. Tennessee (11/22).
• Made three tackles and a sack in the Divisional Playoff loss at Buffalo (1/16).

2019 (16/16, 1/1 - Baltimore)

• Earned his first career Pro Bowl invitation and was named to the PFWA-All-AFC-Team.
• Started all 16 regular-season games and totaled 54 tackles, led the team with a career-high 9.5 sacks and four forced fumbles as part of a defense that ranked No.3 in the NFL in points allowed and No. 4 in yards allowed per game.
• Made three tackles in the Divisional Playoff loss vs. Tennessee (1/11).
• Posted season-highs with seven tackles and two sacks and forced a fumble in the win vs. Houston (11/17).
• Compiled five tackles, 1.5 sacks, and one forced fumble in the win at Buffalo (12/8).

2018 (16/8, 1/0 - Baltimore)

• Appeared in all 16 regular-season games with eight starts and registered 44 tackles, seven sacks, one forced fumble, and three passes defended.
• Played as a reserve in the Wild Card Playoff Loss vs. L.A. Chargers (1/6) and made four tackles.
• Tallied a season-high 10 tackles at Carolina (10/28)
• Posted five tackles, a single-game career-high three sacks, and one forced fumble in the win vs. Oakland (11/25). Recorded a sack on three consecutive plays, one of which forced a fumble that was recovered by the Ravens and returned for a 43yard touchdown.

2017 (16/12 - Baltimore)

• Played in all 16 games with 12 starts and totaled a career-high 58 tackles, eight sacks, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, and three passes defended.
• Made his first career start and made one tackle in the season-opening win at Cincinnati (9/10).
• Registered a single-game career-high 12 tackles and two sacks vs. Chicago (10/15).
• Made seven tackles and recorded his second multi-sack performance for the season at Green Bay (11/19). Also forced one fumble. Was Named AFC Defensive Player of the Week for his efforts.

2016 (14/0 - Baltimore)

• Appeared in 14 games as a reserve and registered 27 tackles, four sacks, one fumble recovery, and two passes defended.
• Made his NFL debut in the season-opening win vs. Buffalo (9/11) and made one tackle.
• Posted three tackles and the first multi-sack game of his career at N.Y. Jets (10/23).
• Tallied a season-high five tackles at New England (12/12).

COLLEGE

• Played in 42 career games and 32 starts and finished as the school's all-time leader with 35 sacks. Earned Great Lakes Intercollegiate defensive Lineman of the Year Award in both 2014 and 2015.
• Earned first-team all GLIAC honors as a senior after leading the nation with 21 sacks, adding 81 tackles, three passes defended, and two fumble recoveris.

PERSONAL

• Attended West Bloomfield (Mich.) High School, recorded 89 tackles and six sacks as a senior.
• Named honorable mention All-Metro North by The Detroit News.

HONOR & AWARDS

• 2022: AFC Defensive Player of the Week (Wk. 5)
• 2021: Pro Bowl, PFWA All-AFC Team
• 2020: Pro Bowl
• 2019: Pro Bowl, PFWA All-AFC Team
• 2017: AFC Defensive Player of the Week (Wk. 11)