History of Matthew Judon in Timeline

Matthew Judon is an American football linebacker for the Atlanta Falcons. He played college football at Grand Valley State, setting the Division II record for sacks. In 2016, he was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in the fifth round.

August 15, 1992: Birth of Matthew Judon

Matthew Judon was born on August 15, 1992.

March 15, 2016: Grand Valley State Pro Day

Matthew Judon participated in Grand Valley State's pro day on March 15, 2016, impressing scouts and raising his draft stock.

May 5, 2016: Signing with the Ravens

On May 5, 2016, Matthew Judon officially signed a four-year contract with the Baltimore Ravens.

October 23, 2016: First Career Sacks

On October 23, 2016, Matthew Judon recorded his first two career sacks against the New York Jets, one of which resulted in a season-ending ACL tear for quarterback Geno Smith.

2016: NFL Draft Selection

Matthew Judon was selected by the Baltimore Ravens in the fifth round of the 2016 NFL Draft.

2016: Drafted by the Baltimore Ravens

The Baltimore Ravens selected Matthew Judon in the fifth round of the 2016 NFL Draft, making him the third edge rusher drafted by the team that year.

August 26, 2017: Preseason Performance and Starting Role

Matthew Judon had a strong preseason performance, including a sack on August 26, 2017, against the Buffalo Bills, which helped him secure the starting strongside linebacker position for the Baltimore Ravens.

October 15, 2017: Career-High in Tackles

Matthew Judon recorded a career-high 14 tackles in a game against the Chicago Bears on October 15, 2017.

November 19, 2017: AFC Defensive Player of the Week

Matthew Judon was named AFC Defensive Player of the Week for his performance against the Green Bay Packers on November 19, 2017, where he recorded seven tackles, two sacks, and a forced fumble.

2018: Solid Performance with the Ravens

In 2018, Matthew Judon continued to be a key player for the Ravens' defense, tying for second on the team in sacks.

2019: Breakout Season

Matthew Judon had a breakout season in 2019, starting all 16 games and recording a career-high 9.5 sacks.

March 13, 2020: Franchise Tag

The Baltimore Ravens placed the franchise tag on Matthew Judon on March 13, 2020.

May 28, 2020: Franchise Tender Signed

Matthew Judon signed the one-year franchise tender with the Baltimore Ravens on May 28, 2020.

November 3, 2020: COVID-19 List

Matthew Judon was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list on November 3, 2020.

March 19, 2021: Signing with the Patriots

Matthew Judon signed a four-year contract with the New England Patriots on March 19, 2021.

2021: Uniform Number Change

In 2021, when the NFL changed its uniform rules to allow defensive linemen to wear single-digit numbers, Matthew Judon chose to wear the number 9 for the Patriots to honor his nine siblings. He had previously worn the same number at Grand Valley State for the same reason.

2022: Career-High in Sacks

In 2022, Matthew Judon had a career-high 15.5 sacks, ranking fourth in the NFL.

2022: Pro Bowl Recognition and NFL Top 100

Matthew Judon was named to the Pro Bowl for the third consecutive season and was ranked 52nd on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2022.

August 4, 2023: Contract Adjustment with the Patriots

On August 4, 2023, Matthew Judon agreed to a contract adjustment with the New England Patriots.

October 14, 2023: Placed on Injured Reserve

Matthew Judon was placed on injured reserve on October 14, 2023, due to a torn lower bicep injury he sustained during a Week 4 game against the New York Jets.

August 14, 2024: Traded to the Atlanta Falcons

On August 14, 2024, Matthew Judon was traded from the New England Patriots to the Atlanta Falcons in exchange for a third-round pick in the 2025 NFL draft.