Matthew Judon Calls Out Jimmy Lake — What It Means for the Falcons
Whew! Things are heating up in Atlanta—and not because of the weather. Former Falcons defensive coordinator Jimmy Lake just took some serious shade, and it came straight from pass rusher Matthew Judon. In this post, we’re diving into what was said, why it matters, and how it affects the Falcons moving forward.
What Did Judon Say?
Judon was asked about his underwhelming 2024 season—specifically why he only managed 5.5 sacks. Was it bad luck? An off year? Not quite. Judon fired back with this:
“No, it wasn’t bad luck. If you go look at the film, I dropped into coverage on 60% of the plays. It’s hard to get a pick and a sack on the same play.”
Mic. Drop. Except… maybe not.
Let’s Fact-Check That
Judon claimed he was dropping into coverage on 60% of plays, but in reality, that number was closer to 8.9%. For comparison, Micah Parsons dropped back around 4%. So yes, Judon dropped into coverage more than Parsons—but 60%? Not even close.
He played around 900 total snaps and dropped back on about 80 of them. That’s not a small number, but it’s not enough to tank a season.
Was Jimmy Lake Really the Problem?
Look, Jimmy Lake’s time as DC in Atlanta wasn’t great. Let’s call it what it was—confusing, underwhelming, and ineffective. We saw it, the players felt it, and even the front office knew it. Once Raheem Morris stepped in temporarily, the defense immediately looked more competent.
So is Judon wrong for pointing fingers? Not entirely. But was he blameless? Not even close.
Judon’s Role in His Own Decline
While Lake may have misused him, Judon also didn’t show the fire we expected. Missed plays, fatigue, and inconsistent pressure showed up on tape. The Falcons gave up a third-round pick for him, expecting more. And that’s why they doubled down this offseason, grabbing Jalon Walker and James Pierce Jr. in the draft.
Judon has talent. But he underdelivered.
What Does This Mean for His Future in Atlanta?
Before this interview, the chances of a Judon return looked decent—maybe 70%. He knows the system, lives in Atlanta, and could be a cheap depth piece. But now? After taking public shots (even if indirectly) at the coaching staff? That number drops to 50%.
NFL front offices don’t like players going public with criticism—even if it’s valid. And while Lake is gone, the noise still lingers.
Final Takeaways
Jimmy Lake’s system wasn’t working. Judon’s not the only one who noticed.
Judon still deserves some of the blame. Five and a half sacks? Not enough.
The Falcons have moved on. Two stud pass rushers in the draft = no need to rely on Judon.
At the end of the day, this might be the last chapter in Judon’s time in Atlanta. But it does reinforce how badly this team needed a culture shift—and guess what? That shift is already underway.
Do you think Judon should come back? Did he go too far with his comments? Drop your take in the comments below.
And if you're loving those two new draft picks, go ahead and throw a "Let’s Go Falcons" in the chat.
As always—Rise Up.
