For them, picking up bags was like pulling teeth this season. After 11 games, the team ranks last in the NFL with just 10 total sacks. To provide some perspective, the Carolina Panthers are 31st in the league with 17 sacks.
While the Falcons' aversion to recording sacks is nothing new, adding an outside linebacker was something many considered would help the team improve the pass rush. However, this has not been the case so far.
Despite posting eye-popping sack totals for most of his career, Judon has yet to make the difference the team expected when it traded for him in August. From 2021 to 2023, Judon recorded 32 sacks in 38 games for the New England Patriots.
Even though he's tied for the team lead with 2.5 sacks this season, Judon doesn't seem like the same player. According to team reporter Amna Subhan, Morris gave an honest assessment of the linebacker's performance during Wednesday's press conference.
“To be completely honest, we're looking for more, and I know he is too,” Morris said of Judon.
Raheem Morris on Matthew Judon: “To be completely honest, we're looking for more, and I know he is too.”
– Amna (@amna__subhan)
Judon would probably agree that his production wasn't up to par. In Week 8, the veteran pass rusher was asked to evaluate his first few games in Atlanta.
“I would say a D,” Judon told The Athletic's . “I just have to play better, better production, better numbers, better pressure rate, get the quarterback down more. That’s what I came here for.”
Luckily for Judon, the Falcons still have six weeks to turn things around. Atlanta is in first place with an overall record of 6-5, but the team must find a way to generate more pressure to break their six-year postseason drought.
