Vikings Encouraged to Make Bold Pro Bowl Signing
Think the Minnesota Vikings need an extra outside linebacker?
ESPN says the Vikings should make a bold splash by adding a veteran EDGE Matthew Judon. Some will enjoy the recommendation; others will find it unnecessary.
Most fans are content with the current group, but ESPN published a bold theory last week — the idea of the Vikings adding four-time Pro Bowler Matthew Judon from free agency.
Minnesota may enjoy its current EDGE department, yet that didn’t stop Aaron Schatz from recommending Judon.
ESPN Says Matthew Judon for Vikings
Schatz scanned the entire NFL last Thursday, urging each NFL team to make one final move of the offseason. For the Vikings, Judon got the nod from free agency.
He wrote, “Sign edge rusher Matthew Judon. The Vikings are set with their starting edge rushers, Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel. They have 2024 first-round pick Dallas Turner waiting in the wings. And then after that, well … who is Bo Richter?”
“Answer: He’s a second-year undrafted free agent who played 29 defensive snaps last season and is probably currently the No. 4 Edge on the Minnesota depth chart. The Vikings could really use a veteran to provide depth and rotate in every so often. Judon had a disappointing 2024 season with just 5.5 sacks for the Falcons, and he seems to be on the decline (he turns 33 in August).”
Minnesota cut ties with Patrick Jones II (signed with the Carolina Panthers) and Jihad Ward (still a free agent) this offseason, paving the way for Dallas Turner to earn more snaps in 2025 and trusting inexperienced EDGEs — like Richter — to emerge.
“Still, he can get after the passer, and some reps as a backup might really rejuvenate his career,” Schatz added.
ESPN Thinks Matthew Judon Would Look Good in Purple
It’s debatable whether Kevin O’Connell’s team needs another EDGE rusher.
Matthew Judon’s Resume
Here’s Judon’s playing resume since turning pro as a 5th-Round pick in 2016:
- Baltimore Ravens (2016–2020)
- New England Patriots (2021–2023)
- Atlanta Falcons (2024)
And this is his Pro Football Focus body of work:
- 2024: 43.0
- 2023: 70.2
- 2022: 73.6
- 2021: 62.9
- 2020: 66.0
- 2019: 69.2
- 2018: 66.9
- 2017: 68.2
- 2016: 60.1
Judon has logged 72 sacks in 131 career games and was at the peak of his powers in 2021 and 2022.
Is There Room in Minnesota?
The question arises for purple fans and the team itself — does Minnesota need an extra pass rusher? The interior defensive line is totally set with Jonathan Allen, Javon Hargrave, Harrison Phillips, and Jalen Redmond, among others.
And at outside linebacker, Jonathan Greenard, Andrew Van Ginkel, the aforementioned Turner, Bo Richter, and possibly Gabriel Murphy will make the September roster.
Judon would fill an OLB4 role with the Vikings, so this boils down to how much the coaching staff, led by Brian Flores, trusts Richter and Murphy.
All things considered, the Vikings’ OLBs are probably just fine as-is.
Other Summer Roster Needs, if Any
What about other free-agent needs? The cornerback position could use a little love, with free agents like Mike Hilton, Asante Samuel Jr., Jack Jones, Rasul Douglas, and Stephon Gilmore waiting for marching orders.
Otherwise, the Vikings’ roster is stacked. The team, though, could explore the post-roster cutdown market in late August for another RB3 candidate, especially if Ty Chandler gets released.
Janik Eckardt on the Matthew Judon Idea
Our own Janik Eckardt remarked on the Judon proposal: “Dallas Turner was drafted in last year’s first round and could be in line for more work this year. However, no team has ever complained about having too many talented pass rushers. The two starters are pretty much set in stone, and there’s some buzz around sophomore Turner.”
“Defensive coordinator Brian Flores recently called the trio ‘three starters.’ The expectation is that Turner is the first guy off the bench now that Patrick Jones is off the team, and his snap count is foreseen to take a big jump. Behind the trio, however, there’s not much experience.”
Judon will turn 33 in August.
Eckardt added, “Bo Richter was primarily a special-teams player, and Gabriel Murphy missed most of his rookie season injured. Both were undrafted rookies last year. This year’s UDFAs included Chaz Chambliss, who was productive at Georgia but lacks next-level physical traits, and Tyler Batty, who has generated some hype but is still a long shot to be a reliable pass rusher in his first NFL campaign.”
“Judon to the Vikings makes sense if they are willing to pay decent money for a third or fourth outside linebacker. It would lead to an electric rotation.”
The Vikings have about $24 million in cap space for extra free agents, more than enough to ink Judon if they’re in the mood.
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