Matt Judon is coming to grips with playing on the 2020 NFL franchise tag.
Matt Judon joins the list of NFL players who will end up playing on the franchise tag in 2020.
Judon was one of 14 players that were slapped with the franchise tag this offseason, 15 if you count Arizona Cardinals running back Kenyan Drake being placed on the transition tag. While players like Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones and Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry were able to work out long-term deals, the Baltimore Ravens could not with Judon.
On the July 15 deadline, the Ravens outside linebacker tweeted out a SpongeBob Squarepants GIF, implying that he will not be given a long-term extension with Baltimore. Judon is a former fifth-round pick out of Grand Valley State, coming off his first Pro Bowl season with the Ravens in 2019. It is abundantly clear he’ll be playing the 2020 NFL campaign on the dreaded franchise tag.
Will the Ravens regret letting Judon play on the franchise tag in 2020?
The Ravens are one of the most well-run organizations in the NFL. Though they do make mistakes every now and then, they’ve had one of best front offices for over two decades. Whether it was Ozzie Newsome running the show or now Eric DeCosta, Baltimore is always pragmatic in its team-building approach. Perhaps getting a charged-up Judon playing in a contract year is to their gain?
See, Baltimore is one of two teams in the AFC that stands a great chance of getting to Super Bowl 55 with the other being the defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs. Though the Ravens need to learn to do a better job of winning home playoff games with Lamar Jackson as their quarterback, perhaps the third time will be the charm in the Charm City with Ravens Flock in 2020?
Baltimore’s defense is absolutely stacked at all levels. There are Pro Bowl-level players out the wazoo for the Ravens. The talent is so great we may end up seeing defensive coordinator Don “Wink” Martindale go the Vic Fangio route and become an NFL head coach in 2021. Judon will play a big part in the Ravens’ quest for a third Super Bowl championship in the last 20 years.
While Judon is disappointed to not get a long-term deal, look for him to be motivated this year.