Patriots: It’s time to start talking about Matt Judon being best offseason acquisition

The New England Patriots absolutely dismantled the Cleveland Browns on Sunday, and that might be putting it kindly.

Mac Jones threw for a career-high three passing touchdowns, Jakobi Meyers found the end zone for the first time in his three-year career, and Rhamondre Stevenson had a breakout game filling in for the injured Damien Harris.

As for the defense, well, it’s playing like the best unit in the league over the last month.

Sure, Nick Chubb wasn’t available, but any time you limit an NFL offense to just seven points, you should give yourself a pat on the back.

While a number of players on the defense deserve credit for the group’s turnaround, we’d be remiss if we didn’t throw more praise in Matt Judon’s direction.

Judon was once again a monster on Sunday and it’s about time he gets recognition as the best offseason acquisition in the NFL.

Matt Judon deserves more praise for the impact he’s had on the Patriots’ defense.

We don’t even know where to start with Judon, so let’s just say he’s already tied a career high with 9.5 sacks. There’s still seven games to go.

Only Myles Garrett and TJ Watt have more, and they’re two candidates for the Defensive Player of the Year award. Might be time to start sprinkling Judon’s name into that conversation. Just saying!

Judon’s contributions from Sunday won’t show up in the box score, but he had a masterful three-play sequence in the second half that summed up his impact for the season. That included the hit — a rare legal one on a QB in 2021 — that knocked Baker Mayfield out of the game, a half-sack and a drawn hold.

Again, not many pass rushers in the NFL can pull that out of their hats. For Judon, though, it’s been the norm this campaign.

If you take a look around the NFL, who can hold a candle to Judon as the best offseason acquisition? The Matthew Stafford trade probably takes the cake, but you’d be hard-pressed to name a batter free agent signing than Judon.

Speaking strictly in terms of free agency, you’re looking at Joe Thuney (Chiefs), Corey Linsley (Chargers), John Johnson III (Browns) and Alex Mack (49ers) as acquisitions that have proved to be home runs.

The 2021 free agency class has largely been hit and miss, but the Patriots struck gold by signing Judon to a four-year, $56 million deal.

His lack of recognition from the national media has been criminal and we’re not going to stand for it anymore. Put some respect on his name!

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