Falcons’ Matthew Judon, Dee Alford and Nate Landman headed for free agency
Outside linebacker Matthew Judon, who was acquired by the Falcons in a trade with the Patriots last season, is headed for free agency, his agent Damarius Bilbo wrote in a text message to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Also, nickel back Dee Alford and linebacker Nathan Landman have been advised that they would not receive a restricted free-agent tender. Alford’s agent Jim Ivler wrote in a text message to the AJC. Greg Auman of Fox Sports reported the Alford and Landman news first.
The Falcons sent a third-round pick to the New England Patriots for Judon on Aug. 14. He went on to start 15 of 17 games for the Falcons last season. He finished with 5.5 sacks, 41 tackles, seven tackles for loss, nine quarterback hits.
Judon joined the Falcons with 66.5 career sacks, and the team was hopeful that he would help improve their anemic pass rush. He’s coming off a season that was shortened by a torn biceps muscle in 2023.
Judon, who turns 33 on Aug. 15, has been named to four Pro Bowls and finished ninth in the Associated Press’ defensive player-of-the-year voting after posting a career-high 15.5 sacks in 2022. The Falcons haven’t had a double-digit sacker since Vic Beasley had 15.5 in 2016.
Alford played in 16 games and made 11 starts last season. He had 83 tackles, had 11 pass breakups and forced a fumble.
Alford, who played at Spalding High School and Tusculum, started his pro career in the Canadian Football League with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
Landman played in 36 games and made 23 starts over the past three seasons. He played mostly for the often-injured Troy Andersen.
Landman, who was signed as an undrafted free agent out of Colorado, had 110 tackles in 2023 and 81 last season.
About the Author
Honored by the Pro Football Hall of Fame in recognition of his "long and distinguished reporting in the field of pro football," D. Orlando Ledbetter, Esq. has covered the NFL 28 seasons. A graduate of Howard University, he's a winner of Georgia Sportswriter of the Year and three Associated Press Sports Editor awards.
