The Detroit Lions have been among the most fascinating teams during the NFL's offseason, losing both offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn after falling short against the Washington Commanders in the playoffs.
It wasn't the storybook ending the Lions seemed destined for, and now things are only growing more difficult. Largely due to injuries, the defense was exposed late in the year, emerging as the roster's Achilles heel down the stretch.
This front office knows that upgrades are necessary. Fortunately, there's one former four-time Pro Bowl defender who is still available that would be a perfect signing to start April on the right foot.
NEWS: Former #Patriots veteran star pass rusher Matthew Judon is still a free agent.
— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) April 1, 2025
Judon, is 32 years old, and a 4x Pro Bowler in his career.@man_dammn had 12.5 sacks in 2021 and 15.5 sacks in 2022, and was one of the leagues premier pass rushers. pic.twitter.com/TvwF5NgiW2
Lions Must Sign Matthew Judon Before It's Too Late
There's no question that Aidan Hutchinson is an elite pass-rusher, but his season-ending injury exposed a major flaw in roster construction. Without him, Detroit didn't have that elite type of defensive line that helped carry the Philadelphia Eagles to the Super Bowl, and Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels carved the defense up as a result.
Matthew Judon, who has played for the Baltimore Ravens, New England Patriots, and Atlanta Falcons, hasn't been signed yet. He'd be a perfect fit alongside Hutchinson, giving the roster two excellent rushers off the edge. At 32 years old, Judon isn't the player he once was, though he's still a disruptive force whose play would elevate the rest of the defense.
In 2024, Judon notched 5.5 sacks and appeared in all 17 games. He's just two years removed from a 15.5 sack campaign on a better defense, so it's clear that his success is at least partially dependent on being alongside great players. Perhaps he isn't someone who could carry a defensive line, yet he's a darned good secondary option when given the opportunity.
At this stage, the Lions don't have many options unless they intend to target the position in the 2025 NFL Draft later this month. Most quality free agents are off the board, and Judon could be given a relatively cheap contract to prove his value before hopefully cashing in following the year.
This isn't the first time that Judon has been tied to Detroit. The clock is ticking, and general manager Brad Holmes needs to be active to ensure that the Lions don't take a step back next year with so many changes happening to the organization. Judon and Hutchinson would be a nasty duo and Holmes needs to make it happen.