After losing some key contributors to free agency and the Coronavirus opt-out list during the offseason, the New England Patriots’ defensive front seven had a disappointing 2020 campaign. The outside linebacker position in particular struggled: setting the edge in the running game proved to be a challenge, as did converting quarterback pressure into positive plays.
Despite having young, high-upside players at their disposal, the Patriots therefore needed to upgrade the position group. They did just that when they agreed to sign Matthew Judon to a four-year contract on the first day of the NFL’s legal tampering period on Monday.