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Linebacker Matthew Judon is quickly making Patriots’ history

By Lou Scataglia

FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - NOVEMBER 28: Matthew Judon #9 of the New England Patriots sacks Ryan Tannehill #17 of the Tennessee Titans in the first quarter at Gillette Stadium on November 28, 2021 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - NOVEMBER 28: Matthew Judon #9 of the New England Patriots sacks Ryan Tannehill #17 of the Tennessee Titans in the first quarter at Gillette Stadium on November 28, 2021 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images) /
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The New England Patriots signed Matthew Judon before the 2021 season, and he is already climbing the all-time Patriots’ leaderboards.  This has been one of the better free agent signings the team has been in quite some time.  In his first year in New England, Judon set a career high with 12.5 sacks.

He had never hit double digit sacks during his first five years in the NFL with the Baltimore Ravens.  However, the Patriots’ defensive system appears to be one that the veteran edge rusher excels in.  He’s already at 11.5 sacks this year.  He’s on pace to get close to the all-time single season sack record, and there are some favorable matchups on the schedule.

Through his first year and a half as a Patriot, Judon has 24.0 sacks.  That isn’t a ton just based on the number without how long he’s been with the team for context, but Judon already ranks 15th all-time in Patriots’ history in sacks.

If he keeps up his current pace this season, he’ll end up with the 10th most sacks in Patriots’ history after just two years with the team.  It’s an unbelievable feat that he is barreling towards.  The 10th most sacks in Patriots’ history belong to Tedy Bruschi with 30.5.

The most sacks in team history belongs to Andre Tippett with 100.  Judon won’t hit that number in all likelihood, but given his current pace and his contract status, he can certainly climb up the all-time Patriots’ list more and more.

He’s got 24 sacks in 26 games, which is the best sack per game number that is on the all-time list for New England.  He’s beginning to get up there in age, so I do wonder how long he can keep this pace up, but he is on a tear and could win the NFL sack title this year.

He also needs to be more heavily considered for the Defensive Player of the Year award.  I don’t think he’s been given enough attention for his 2022 season so far.

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