Bill Belichick the New England Patriots GM has been dragged over the coals over the years for killing Bill Belichick the New England Patriots head coach. This offseason was no different, being accused of overpaying for many of the free agents he signed early in the process. One player who has many of those pundits eating crow for breakfast this morning is Matthew Judon.
Matthew Judon had already forced a holding call on RT Matt Pryor when he jumped all the damn gaps for this pressure. Judon has been absolutely off the hook in his first two preseason games with the Patriots. pic.twitter.com/ZfdzWzSC91 — Doug Farrar (@NFL_DougFarrar) August 20, 2021
While Tight Ends Hunter Henry and Jonnu Smith nurse injuries during camp and into the first two games of the preseason, Judon has shaken them off, exploding on the New England Patriots landscape both in practices and in the limited time Belichick has allowed him on the field. Week one vs WFT Judon had an impressive showing, registering a third-down tackle and a pass breakup before getting his knee buckled and shaking off a trip to the medical tent.
Matt Judon has played 22 snaps this preseason. Here are seven of them. pic.twitter.com/YxbMsC8z5U — Zack Cox (@ZackCoxNESN) August 20, 2021
Patriots fans are falling for Judon
This week he was even more impressive. Almost beating Joe “elite“ Flacco to a botched snap that flew over his head, still jarring the ball loose, and allowing Jalen Mills to recover the ball and set up the Patriots’ first points. Then pressuring Flacco again to force a three and out. Drawing a holding call. Not to mention setting an edge I’ve been screaming for since 2019.
.@christianfauria might be the biggest Matthew Judon fan in Boston The floor? All-Pro The ceiling? Defensive Player of the Year pic.twitter.com/AGVcGR771L — OMF (@OMFonWEEI) August 20, 2021
Judon signed the third-biggest deal of any outside linebacker this spring, $54 million over four years. His $13.6 million annual salary ranks only behind Bud Dupree and Shaquil Barrett. I think Bill the GM got the best bang for his buck out of these three signings. Matt’s swag is infectious, and the rest of the front seven is already showing the symptoms. Working alongside Dont’a Hightower and Kyle Van Noy – AFC East QBs may want to grow eyes in the back of their heads.
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Featured Image via Steven Senne/AP
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