New England Patriots trade Pro Bowl edge rusher following contract dispute
The Patriots are trading Matthew Judon to the Atlanta Falcons for a 2025 third-round pick, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. New England reportedly had “extensive” contract talks with Judon, according to Rapoport.
NFL Insider Jordan Schultz first reported on Wednesday night that the disgruntled edge rusher was on the verge of being traded to Atlanta.
Judon had been public about his contract with the team during training camp. The four-time Pro Bowler was seeking a new deal, but the two sides weren’t able to find common ground. This includes animated discussions with head coach Jerod Mayo and front office personnel Eliot Wolf and Matt Groh during camp.
“We had a conversation,” Judon said on Aug. 5 to the Patriots beat reporters. “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.”
Multiple teams inquired about acquiring Judon, according to NFL reporter Jeremy Fowler. Judon said on a recent podcast that he gave a proposal of what he wanted to the Patriots and was awaiting word back on their response. With Judon being owed $6.5 million this season, the media had speculated he would get a bump in salary from the team but not the years he was seeking.
Judon, who turns 32 years old on Thursday, has played in 114 games, making 82 starts since he entered the league in 2016. He has made 66.5 sacks, 87 tackles for loss, and 165 quarterback hits in his career. In three seasons with the Patriots, he earned two Pro Bowl selections, collecting 12.5 sacks in 2021 and 15.5 sacks in 2022.
Atlanta adds Judon to the mix after losing rookie outside linebacker Bralen Trice for the season with a torn ACL. Judon joins an outside linebacker room headlined by Arnold Ebiketie and James Smith-Williams.
New England will turn to the likes of Josh Uche, Keion White, Deatrich Wise, and Anfernee Jennings to replace Judon.
