Falcons add star power with Judon, Simmons

The Atlanta Falcons made a couple of splashes before their second preseason game.

The Falcons acquired four-time Pro Bowl edge rusher Matthew Judon from the New England Patriots for a third-round draft pick in a deal that was announced on Thursday. Later in the day, Atlanta signed former Broncos safety Justin Simmons to a one-year deal.

Judon had 28 sacks in his first two seasons with the Patriots before finishing with four in four games last year, when he was limited by injuries.

Judon became available because of a contract dispute. He has a base salary of $6.5 million this season and is seeking a new deal.

"I signed the deal. My signature's on it so I got to play on it. Do I think that's my value? No. But, again, that's not up to me," Judon said last month. "I hope I can continue to play here and be a catalyst to one of the best defenses in the league. If that's not the case, that's not the case. It's hard not to be jealous or envious. But honestly, I've got to focus on myself. As much as everyone would like me to stay around here for a long time, it's not up to me. I would pay myself a lot of money and be cool with it."

The Falcons needed a pass rusher to bolster a defense that hasn't had a player with double-digit sacks since Vic Beasley had 15 1/2 in 2016.

Judon, who turns 32 on Thursday, played his first five seasons in Baltimore. He had 34 1/2 sacks for the Ravens and made two of his four Pro Bowls. He thrived in Bill Belichick's defense in New England, making a career-high 15 1/2 sacks in 2022.

The Falcons pursued the trade for Judon after losing rookie edge rusher Bralen Trice to a season-ending knee injury in their first preseason game at Miami.

Trice, a third-round pick from the University of Washington, was competing for a starting job after leading the nation in quarterback pressures the last two seasons.

Trice had been listed as the No. 2 outside linebacker behind Arnold Ebikeite before the injury.

Now, it's Judon who figures to take a prime pass-rushing role for the Falcons.

The 30-year-old Simmons, who signed a deal for $8 million, spent his first eight seasons in Denver. He made the Pro Bowl in 2020 and 2023 and was a second-team AP All-Pro four times in the past five years.

Simmons has 30 career interceptions, five forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries and 4 1/2 sacks.