Is There an Opening For Baltimore Ravens to Get Matt Judon Back?

If Matt Judon fails to land a contract extension with the New England Patriots, a return to the Baltimore Ravens could be in play.

Jan 3, 2021; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Baltimore Ravens outside linebacker Matt Judon (99) celebrates / Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports

There's no place like home? Matt Judon could test that concept out.

Having begun his career as a Baltimore Raven, Judon is currently stationed with the New England Patriots and stands as one of the most consistent silver linings of the post-Tom Brady era. Uncertainty nonetheless lingers when it comes to his potential New England longevity and Cody Benjamin of CBS Sports listed Judon as a "notable name" that could be moved before or during the upcoming NFL Draft.

Sep 25, 2022; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots outside linebacker Matt Judon (9) / Paul Rutherford-USA TODAY Sports

"From (Judon's) perspective, New England is rebuilding under a new coach. From the team's perspective, Judon is solid but coming off an injury, going on 32 years old and entering a contract year," Benjamin said. "The return for a player of his age might not be overwhelming, but the cap relief and/or draft compensation could enable New England to pour more resources into longer-term building blocks."

If Judon was to be moved, Benjamin listed the Ravens as a "potential suitor."

Judon, 32, earned 28 sacks in his first two tours of Foxborough but a torn bicep limited him to four games last season. He has insisted that he'd be comfortable ending his career in New England but plenty of other similar stories have been dealt different endings.

The Ravens' defense didn't have much trouble getting to the quarterback last season, earning a league-best 60 sacks en route to the AFC title game. More advanced pressure stats were considerably more cruel: the Ravens were credited with pressure on only 19.5 percent on opposing dropbacks and they mustered hurried throws on only 3.8 in the same category, second-worst in the league ahead of only lowly Carolina.

Reunions are often best left in the fantasy realm, especially comes to veterans closer to the tail-end of their careers. Judon, however, has proven that he has plenty left in the tank and could well prove to be a missing piece of sorts. Perhaps a deal at the trade deadline would make more sense if Judon and the Patriots fail to agree to long-term terms, as it would give Baltimore and other suitors a chance to take in the fruits of his tricep rehab.