Emergence of Keion White helping Patriots offset loss of Matthew Judon

After the departure of Matthew Judon, New England Patriots fans were concerned how the pass rush would fare. Two weeks into the season, one player is proving that there was no need to worry.

Keion White has been the pass-rusher that New England has needed in 2024. In just two games he has tallied four sacks and is constantly getting into the back field.

Former Patriots head coach Bill Belichick even praised White after his 2.5 sack performance in Week 1 against the Cincinnati Bengals.

“First of all, I love Keion White," Belichick said on an episode of Inside The NFL. "He can play outside. He can play inside. He’s tough, strong, and can really play the run. He can play the pass. He just needs a little bit more experience and technique. You saw what he did in Week 1.”

White has grown a lot as a player since being drafted last year in the second round. His teammates have been impressed with how much he has improved in just one offseason.

"Yes, I think we are all seeing the same thing. He is showing a lot of versatility," Deatrich Wise Jr. said regarding White. "He is able to sit there and get on the run game, get pressure outside, able to come inside and get pressure, able to run games, he is doing a great job with that. He can set up rushes and communicate very well so we are all seeing the same thing from last year to this year and he is becoming just an overall great player."

With how well White has performed to start the season, it is clear that New England made the right decision in trading Judon. The Patriots were able to acquire future draft capital for an aging player who was more of a supplement than a necessity. 

While only two games have been played, White looks like he is the latest and greatest pass-rusher to don a Patriots uniform.