1 stat shows just how badly the Falcons needed Matthew Judon on their roster

The Atlanta Falcons made waves on Wednesday night by reportedly adding outside linebacker Matthew Judon via a trade with the New England Patriots.

The Falcons, to put it nicely, have struggled to consistently get after the quarterback for the last decade.

Judon will immediately play an instrumental role as one of the best pass-rushers to play in a Falcons uniform in recent memory. That’s how big this is for Atlanta; he changes the equation for its defense right away.

If you’d like to get context for how important this move is for the Falcons, consider the team’s sack totals from the 2023 season.

Judon played in four games in 2023 and tallied four sacks in those contests. That would have been good for a tie at third-overall on the Falcons last season. Former Atlanta defenders Calais Campbell and Bud Dupree were tied for first with six-and-a-half sacks a piece, and outside linebacker Arnold Ebiketie was alone in second place with six sacks.

That means Judon would’ve been tied for third last season as a Falcons despite only playing in four games. That’s how badly this team needs sacks.

The Falcons really, really, really needed a player like Judon in their lives. Wednesday’s reported trade made sure they got him.