Ravens OLB Matthew Judon unsure about his future but thanks organization, coaches, and teammates
With the Baltimore Ravens now staring at the offseason after a disappointing loss to the Buffalo Bills, attention immediately turns to free agency. Baltimore has several big names set to hit free agency, with outside linebacker Matthew Judon being at the top of that list.
Before a reporter could ask a question following the game, Judon addressed the elephant in the room. The jokester of the defense was surprisingly vulnerable as he openly discussed his unknown future.
“I’d like to thank the Ravens organization,” Judon said. “You all might ask me but I don’t know what’s going to happen next year, I don’t know what’s going to happen in my future. That’s all out in front of me but the past five years have been a hell of a ride and I wouldn’t ask for another organization, or coaches, or mentors, or players to play with.”
The Ravens used their franchise tag on Judon this offseason, keeping him out of free agency. However, it always felt like a one-year tryout more than anything else. By not being able to come together on his value last offseason, it seemed like Baltimore was giving him a chance to prove his worth this season. But a midseason trade for pass rusher Yannick Ngakoue pointed to the Ravens moving on.
Pass rushers are a hot commodity, falling just behind quarterbacks in value in the NFL. With the salary cap expected to actually decrease next season, the Ravens likely only have enough money to sign either Judon or Ngakoue, but not both. With third- (2021) and fifth-round (2022) picks invested in Ngakoue, logic points to Judon being the odd man out here.
But, in the NFL, it’s never safe to assume anything. Judon could have a far softer market than anyone is expecting, especially after posting just six sacks this season. A shrinking salary cap could force teams to be far more fiscally conservative in the coming months, capping Judon’s value significantly. Baltimore could even decide to go with the “devil you know” in Judon rather than re-sign Ngakoue, who also had a disappointing sack total.
Judon is likely truly entering free agency for the first time in his career. It has to be both exhilarating and anxiety-inducing at the same time. But if that was the last time Judon will be in Baltimore purple, it was a good run.
