4-time Pro Bowler is a 'perfect fit' for Commanders
The Washington Commanders are close to taking the next step in their quest to become a Super Bowl contender. General manager Adam Peters took a four-win team in 2023 to the NFC Championship in 2024. It was a huge 180-degree turn, and it was a season this team and its fanbase haven't seen in over 30 years. Still, they didn't make it to the Big Game, so they have been on the hunt for the last few pieces they need.
Peters has been aggressive in his approach, and he's also been able to find what they need without breaking the bank. The one thing he did not do this offseason was nail down an edge rusher. Fear not, Commanders fans, Jeffri Chadiha of NFL.com has the perfect fit for your team: Linebacker Matthew Judon.
Washington general manager Adam Peters has been aggressive in each of the past two seasons when it comes to free agency. The one thing he still needs to find for this team is more help in pressuring opposing passers. The team leader in sacks from 2024, Dante Fowler Jr., returned to Dallas this offseason, and Peters didn't take any edge rushers in the draft. That leaves Judon as an intriguing option for a team that wants to make another power move in the NFC after reaching last year's championship game. He has his flaws -- he turns 33 in August and only amassed 5.5 sacks in his one season with the Falcons last year -- but he also fits what Peters has been finding in free agency the last couple years. The Commanders received valuable contributions from older veterans like linebacker Bobby Wagner and tight end Zach Ertz in 2024. If Judon can give them a little boost in the pass rush, he would be just as beneficial to Washington's hopes of reaching the Super Bowl.
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Judon has exactly what Peters looks for in a veteran: He's quietly successful, flies under the radar, doesn't make waves, and does what it takes to get the job done. He's a veteran who can read opposing offenses, make plays, and provide leadership and mentor the younger guys in the locker room.
Judon played five seasons with the Baltimore Ravens and three with the New England Patriots before joining the Atlanta Falcons in 2024. He already knows what it takes to play on a successful team and the amount of dedication it takes to make it happen. He could be the piece the Commanders need to take their defense to the next level, and Peters should look closely at Judon ahead of OTAs.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Veteran EDGE Matthew Judon named a 'perfect fit' for Commanders
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