By Moses Joshua 
After falling short in the playoffs, Detroit is being pushed to add veteran pass-rushing help—and Matthew Judon could be the perfect fit.
Super Bowl Aspirations Meet Harsh Playoff Reality
The Detroit Lions entered the 2024 NFL season on a mission—and for much of the year, they looked unstoppable. Under head coach Dan Campbell, the team soared to the top of the league, powered by a balanced offense and a relentless defense. But their red-hot run came to a screeching halt with a surprise playoff exit at the hands of the surging Washington Commanders.
Now, with Super Bowl expectations still looming large, the Lions are retooling and refocusing. And one clear area of need has drawn attention: edge depth.
Lions Defense in Need of One Final Piece?
Detroit’s defensive front remains one of its strengths. Aidan Hutchinson, the face of the pass rush, is set to return following an injury-plagued season. Opposite him, veteran Marcus Davenport brings a mix of experience and upside—but his availability has been an issue in recent years. Behind them, rotational options like Josh Paschal and Al-Quadin Muhammad provide solid depth, though perhaps not the kind that strikes fear into playoff-caliber opponents.
That’s where the name Matthew Judon enters the conversation.
A Veteran Answer: Judon Brings Pro Bowl Pedigree
Carmen Vitali of Fox Sports has publicly urged the Lions to explore the possibility of signing the four-time Pro Bowl edge rusher, Matthew Judon.
“Yes, the Lions are getting Aidan Hutchinson back,” Vitali noted, “but coming off injury, they should try to make his return as easy on him as possible. That is, not making him shoulder the load too much too soon.”
She added, “Detroit is also relying on the health of Marcus Davenport… That hasn’t worked out in recent seasons, so getting another guy off the edge can’t hurt.”
Judon, who spent 2024 with the Falcons, may not have posted elite numbers, but he remained productive. In 17 games, he recorded 41 tackles, 5.5 sacks, five pass deflections, a pick, and even a defensive touchdown. With 72 career sacks under his belt, Judon has proven he can still make an impact.
The Right Fit at the Right Time?
For a team knocking on the door of a championship, a low-risk move like signing Judon could pay massive dividends. He wouldn’t be expected to start, but rather serve as a valuable rotational piece—providing fresh legs, veteran savvy, and leadership to a team that is clearly in win-now mode.
While the Lions have already constructed one of the NFL’s most complete rosters, adding Judon would be the kind of chess move that separates contenders from champions.
Whether Brad Holmes makes the call remains to be seen. But if Detroit wants to finally push through to a Super Bowl, adding a seasoned pass rusher like Judon could be the difference between more playoff heartbreak—and a parade down Woodward Avenue.