By Sunday 
The pads are coming on, the sun’s beating down on Allen Park, and Dan Campbell’s crew is grinding through another tough training camp. But even as the Detroit Lions gear up with what looks like one of the most promising rosters in years, the front office might not be done shopping—especially on the edge of that defensive line.
Judon: Local Roots, National Resume
According to a report from Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press, the Lions are “still in the market” for a defensive end—and one name they’ve already “had dialogue about” is veteran EDGE rusher Matthew Judon.
Judon isn’t just a familiar name—he’s local. The West Bloomfield native and Grand Valley State alum carved out a major NFL career after being a fifth-round pick of the Ravens. He went on to become a four-time Pro Bowler, racking up double-digit sacks in both Baltimore and New England. His best years came in 2021 and 2022 with the Patriots, where he recorded 12.5 and 15.5 sacks respectively.
What’s Left in the Tank?
Now 33, Judon is coming off a 2024 campaign in Atlanta where he started 15 games and notched 5.5 sacks after a 2023 season derailed by a torn bicep. But don’t let the stat line fool you—Judon still brings value. At 6’3″, 275 pounds, he’s not just a pass rusher. He’s a well-rounded defender who can hold his own against the run and has experience dropping into coverage—he logged over 90 coverage snaps in each of his first five years as a starter, according to PFF.
In short, he’s got the kind of versatility that Aaron Glenn and Dan Campbell covet.
Campbell Keeps the Faith in Youth
Of course, the Lions’ coaching staff isn’t just twiddling their thumbs waiting for a vet. Campbell made it clear Friday that the focus right now is on evaluating the talent already in the building.
“Just worried about evaluating the guys we got here right now,” Campbell told reporters. “We’ve got a good crop of guys in here, young players. We’re about to go see what we can pull out of them.”
That “crop” includes names like rookie Ahmed Hassanein, Nate Lynn, Isaac Ukwu, and Mitchell Agude—all 26 or younger. The team will get its first real look at this group in live action next Thursday in the Hall of Fame Game against the Chargers.
Window’s Open, and the Lions Know It
While Campbell is rightly keeping his eyes on internal development, the reality is this: Detroit’s Super Bowl window is open—and help off the edge could make the difference come January. Whether that help comes from within or from a hometown hero like Judon? That’s the question Brad Holmes and company seem to be weighing carefully.
Either way, the message is clear: the Lions aren’t standing still. They’re still hunting.