Matthew Judon hasn’t been happy in New England. Now he’s on his way out.
According to multiple sources, the Patriots are finalizing a trade to send Judon to the Atlanta Falcons for a future third-round pick.
This trade comes after a wild summer where the Pro Bowl pass rusher publicly displayed his displeasure with his contract both through the media and in practice. In training camp, during the Patriots first day in pads, Judon, had animated discussions with head coach Jerod Mayo and front office personnel Eliot Wolf and Matt Groh.
After his talk with Mayo, Judon left the Patriots practice field only to return and talk with Wolf and Groh.
“We had a conversation,” Judon said on Aug. 5. “I didn’t want to be a distraction to the team, so I went inside. I wasn’t participating in those drills that day, so I went inside. Then I got a message, so I came back and talked to our GM and then I went back inside.
“Sorry, I’m animated and I talk with my hands. I’m going to start talking like this,” Judon added as he tucked his hands next to his side, “and not be so animated.”
NFL Insider Jordan Schultz was the first to report the news of Judon’s trade.
Judon, who turns 32 tomorrow, had been hoping for a new contract with New England since he entered 2024 in the final year of a deal that paid him a $6.5 base salary with $1 million in roster bonuses. Instead, the pass rusher grew frustrated as he saw the Patriots either re-sign or extend several of his teammates – notably Davon Godchaux, Kyle Dugger, Michael Onwenu, Rhamondre Stevenson, Kendrick Bourne, Hunter Henry, and Josh Uche.
In 2021, the Patriots signed a 4-year, $54.5 million contract with the Patriots. He turned into one of the team’s best players and a fan favorite.
In three seasons, Judon earned two Pro Bowl honors after leading the Patirots in sacks. In 2021, he finished with 12.5 sacks to go with 25 quarterback hits. The next season, he amassed 15.5 sacks and finished ninth in the NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year voting.
Judon looked bound for a big season in 2023 but suffered a season-ending biceps injury in Week 4. When he went down last season, the Patriots pass rush was led by Christian Barmore (8.5 sacks). Barmore is currently out for an unidentified amount of time after his was diagnosed with blood clots.
In the end, the Patriots were unwilling to give Judon the contract he desired, and considering his age (32) and recent injury history, it seemed like the two sides were at an impasse.
That led us to Tuesday where the Patriots sent the veteran to Atlanta.
Now, the Patriots move on without one of their most dynamic defensive players. Filling in for Judon will be the likes of Josh Uche, Keion White, Deatrich Wise, and Anfernee Jennings.
