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Report: Matt Judon Expects to Stay with Ravens, Avoid Trade After Franchise Tag
Baltimore Ravens pass-rusher Matt Judon reportedly signed his franchise tag Thursday, and the presumption is the 27-year-old will stay put.
"Despite being a candidate for trade interest this offseason, Baltimore OLB Matt Judon expects to be a Raven in 2020, per league source," ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported Thursday evening.
The Ravens applied the franchise tag to Judon in mid-March, and he expressed a little frustration to Josina Anderson of ESPN:
ig: josinaanderson @JosinaAndersonMatthew Judon to me just now on #BAL officially franchise tagging him: "I'd rather have a long-term deal for stability. It is what it is. I feel like this is what many of us go through that are facing free agency. At the end of the day, I know I’m playing football next season."
Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reported Friday the two sides agreed to a tender worth $16.808 million, which is "the midpoint between the DE and LB numbers. A rare compromise."
Head coach John Harbaugh called re-signing Judon "a priority" for the Ravens during his season-ending press conference in December, but he admitted that it will be "very hard" to give him a long-term deal.
The Athletic's Jeff Zrebiec updated the situation at the beginning of this month, reporting there was "no indication" that Judon and the Ravens would soon come to terms on a long-term contract, though Baltimore still remains "determined to make things work."
Judon has leverage after recording a career-high 9.5 sacks, four forced fumbles, 33 quarterback hits and 54 tackles across 16 regular-season starts last season.
The Ravens bolstered their pass rush around Judon this offseason. The team signed veteran defensive lineman Derek Wolfe to a one-year deal in free agency. Former LSU inside linebacker Patrick Queen was taken in the first round (No. 28 overall) before former Texas A&M defensive tackle Justin Madubuike and former Ohio State outside linebacker Malik Harrison in the third round of April's draft.
