Former Ravens OLB Matthew Judon to sign four-year, $56 million deal with Patriots
Former Ravens outside linebacker Matthew Judon has agreed to a four-year, $56 million deal with the New England Patriots, according to reports, with $32 million guaranteed.
Judon, a Pro Bowl selection each of the past two years, is the Ravens’ first unrestricted free agent to agree to a new deal elsewhere this offseason. The NFL’s legal-tampering period opened at noon Monday, and contracts can be finalized when the league year begins at 4 p.m. Wednesday.
Judon played last season under the franchise tag, on a one-year deal worth $16.8 million, but the Ravens declined to tag him again this offseason. The 28-year-old had 9 1/4 u00bd sacks in 2019 and six last season, and posted 31 and 32 quarterback pressures, respectively.
A fifth-round pick out of Grand Valley State, Judon started 49 games and appeared in 76 total over five seasons in Baltimore. He developed into one of the Ravens’ more versatile defenders, capable of setting the edge as a run defender, creating pressure off the edge and dropping into coverage at outside linebacker. Judon was also a beloved teammate in Baltimore.
With Judon headed to an AFC rival and defensive end Yannick Ngakoue not expected to re-sign, the Ravens are facing a makeover at edge rusher. Outside linebacker Tyus Bowser is a pending free agent, and the Ravens could also lose versatile defensive end Jihad Ward this offseason.
This story will be updated.
