American football linebacker Matthew Judon plays for the National Football League’s New England Patriots (NFL).
He was chosen by the Baltimore Ravens in the fifth round of the 2016 NFL Draft while playing college football at Grand Valley State, where he set the Division II record for sacks.
Judon was selected to two straight Pro Bowls during his five seasons with the Ravens. He signed up with the Patriots in 2021, and his third straight season in the Pro Bowl.
After an arthroscopy revealed what was described as a “tweaked meniscus,” Judon was invited to the East-West Shrine Game but was unable to participate.
He was the first player from Grand Valley State to earn an invitation in two years and choose to attend the NFL combine out of the 65 defensive linemen that received invitations.
Judon displayed strength and athleticism by placing first among defensive linemen in the vertical jump, bench press, and 40-yard sprint (all in the fifth spot) (fourth).
On March 13, 2020, the Ravens placed the franchise tag on Judon. Judon signed the $16.808 million, one-year franchise tender on May 28, 2020. Judon recorded his first two season sacks on Dwayne Haskins during the 31-17 victory in Week 4 against the Washington Football Team.
Judon was kicked out of the Pittsburgh Steelers game in Week 8 after making contact with a referee. On November 3, 2020, the team activated him after placing him on the reserve/COVID-19 list.
On November 30, he was reactivated, and on December 9, he was added to the COVID-19 list once more. In Week 15’s 40-14 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars, Judon recorded a sack on Gardner Minshew in the end zone for safety.
Judon agreed to a four-year, $56 million deal with the New England Patriots on March 19, 2021. By Week 11, Judon had eclipsed his previous career high for sacks, earning him Pro Bowl recognition for a third straight year.