May 13, 2025
ATLANTA — Former Pro Bowl edge rusher Matthew Judon is placing blame squarely on the Atlanta Falcons’ defensive scheme for his underwhelming 2024 season, claiming that he was misused and marginalized in a system that didn’t play to his strengths.
In a candid post-season interview, Judon stated that the Falcons “asked [him] to drop back into coverage on 60% of [his] snaps,” a figure he says played a major role in his reduced impact as a pass rusher. Now, as the offseason begins, Judon is signaling that his time in Atlanta may already be over.
“That’s not what I do,” Judon said. “You don’t bring in a guy known for getting after the quarterback and then make him a linebacker in coverage. I’m doubtful I’ll play for the Falcons again.”
The Reality Check: What Do the Stats Say?
Judon’s frustration is palpable — but according to independent tracking data from Pro Football Focus (PFF), the linebacker may be exaggerating just how often he was asked to drop back.
PFF reports that Judon dropped into coverage on just 13.3% of his defensive snaps in 2024, which is well within the standard range for edge defenders in 3-4 base schemes and nickel packages. While it’s slightly higher than his historic average, it’s hardly the extreme workload Judon claims.
In comparison, premier edge rushers like T.J. Watt and Haason Reddick often log similar or even higher drop-back percentages depending on the week, without a significant drop in sack production.
A Frustrating Year All Around
Judon joined the Falcons in 2024 on a short-term deal after spending several successful seasons with the New England Patriots, where he was a consistent threat off the edge. Expectations were high for his arrival in Atlanta, but his season was anything but memorable — tallying just 3.5 sacks, the lowest total since his rookie year.
Part of that may be due to age (Judon turns 33 this season), lingering injuries, and adapting to a new system under defensive coordinator Jimmy Lake, who implemented a hybrid scheme with multiple responsibilities for outside linebackers.
Falcons’ Side of the Story
The Falcons have not officially responded to Judon’s comments, but sources within the team say coaches were “surprised” by the remarks, especially given Judon’s veteran status and early buy-in during training camp.
“Everyone knew what the scheme was coming in,” one team source said. “It’s not like we changed everything midseason. The expectations were clear.”
What’s Next for Judon?
With free agency looming and bridges potentially burned, Judon appears to be on the move again. He remains a respected locker room presence and could still contribute as a rotational pass rusher for a team with a more traditional 4-3 or wide-9 alignment.
However, teams may be wary of the public criticism — especially when it’s not entirely supported by the tape or analytics.
Final Word
Whether Judon truly felt out of place or is looking to shift the narrative after a tough year, one thing is clear: his time in Atlanta is likely over. But as always in the NFL, where perception and production collide, the truth lies somewhere in between the scheme and the stat sheet.
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