Now that the calendar has flipped over to July, training camp around the league will get started in a couple of weeks. The Atlanta Falcons will have rookies and veterans report to IBM Performance Field in Flowery Branch, Ga., on July 23.
The Falcons are focused on improving from their 8-9 record and have made some new additions over the last few months. At the same time, there are several former Falcons still on the free agent market, but EDGE Matthew Judon should get an invite to training camp.
Matthew Judon Deserves a Training Camp Invite
Judon spent the 2024 season with Atlanta, where he logged 41 total tackles, 5.5 sacks, and 8 QB hits. It wasn't his most productive campaign, which is why the Falcons decided not to re-sign him.
Despite coming off a lackluster campaign and turning 33 years old in August, he should latch onto a team. He could still be effective as a rotational pass rusher and give a team some juice off the edge. Judon will also be another year removed from his torn pectoral muscle that he suffered in 2023.
J.J. Watt (Arizona Cardinals, 2022) and Cameron Hayward (Pittsburgh Steelers, 2022) are the two recent pass rushers who were productive at age 33. Watt finished with 12.5 sacks, while Hayward had 10.5 sacks.
Kyle Van Noy (Baltimore Ravens) totaled a career-high 12.5 sacks last season. These are three guys who showcased they be still get after the QB despite being 33 years old.
Judon can follow a similar path, especially since he has consistently wreaked havoc throughout his career. In 131 total games (97 starts), the four-time Pro Bowler has 410 total tackles, 174 QB hits, nine forced fumbles, and 72 sacks in his career.
He didn't need to be at OTAs and minicamp at this stage of his career, but with training camp quickly approaching, he should be able to sign somewhere. Teams can never have enough pass rushers, and if he lands with the right team, Judon could be a nice addition for the 2025 season. It wouldn't be a surprise to see him sign a one-year deal in the coming weeks.