The months-long Matthew Judon drama got here to a conclusion on Wednesday, with the New England Patriots buying and selling the defensive finish/linebacker to the Atlanta Falcons.
NFL on CBS insider Jonathan Jones revealed a stunning element on Thursday morning relating to Judon’s scenario in Atlanta.
Judon — who turned 32 on Thursday — said in June that he “wasn’t mad” on the Patriots and that the 2 sides weren’t “far aside” of their contract negotiations. Lots occurred during the last two months, culminating in New England delivery off its greatest defensive participant.
Judon signed with the Patriots in March 2021 after taking part in the primary 5 seasons of his profession with the Baltimore Ravens, together with his 2019 and 2020 Professional Bowl campaigns. Judon continued to construct his case as probably the greatest go rushers within the NFL with the Patriots, incomes Professional Bowl honors in 2021 and 2022 earlier than struggling a season-ending bicep harm after simply 4 video games in 2023.
The Grand Valley State product signed a four-year, $54.5M take care of New England in March 2021 and so they agreed to a contract adjustment final August, with Judon signing a $3M extension for 2023 that elevated the assured portion of wage from $2M to $14M.
Whereas loads of Patriots followers can be upset concerning the group shedding one in every of their leaders, it appeared that the longer Judon went with out a new deal, the extra seemingly it was that he did not have a future with the group. If Judon can keep wholesome, he in all probability has not less than a number of extra stable years left within the league, however maybe New England is ending the connection on the proper time, as 32 is not precisely when an NFL participant often enters their prime.
The Falcons, in the meantime, have landed one other massive title this offseason in an effort not solely to seize a really winnable NFC South for the primary time because the 2016 season, but in addition make a playoff run. Atlanta’s marquee addition on offense this offseason was four-time Professional Bowl quarterback Kirk Cousins.
If Judon has one other massive season and leads the Falcons again to the playoffs, it would not be a shock to see him land an extension with the membership subsequent offseason.
