Jonathan Wiggs/The Boston Globe via Getty Images The Atlanta Falcons are acquiring star Matthew Judon from the New England Patriots in exchange for a third-round pick, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.
Entering the final year of his deal, Judon was again seeking new money this offseason, though he originally indicated he would play on his contract.
Not long after those remarks, however, Judon appeared to be a training camp hold-in for the second straight year.
Given his age and injury issues last season, it was unclear if the Patriots would offer him any extension or new money.
This time around they weren’t playing ball, sending him packing, and now Judon and the Falcons will be left to discuss a potential new deal.
Through Getty Images, Jonathan Wiggs/The Boston Globe.
According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, the star Matthew Judon is being acquired by the Atlanta Falcons from the New England Patriots in exchange for a third-round pick.
Deal was almost finalized, according to NFL insider Jordan Schultz.
Prior to the 2023 season, Judon, 31, did not participate in team-organized activities. He also sat out the first few days of training camp until the Patriots renegotiated his contract, raising his guaranteed salary from $2 million to $14 million.
Injury kept him from playing in only four games last season, but he did record four sacks in those contests, increasing his career total to 66 points and five sacks in 114 games.
Even though he had previously said he would play out his contract, Judon, who is in the final year of his contract, was looking for new money this offseason.
“To be honest, I got to,” he said to reporters. I have to play because, once again, I signed a deal and my signature is on it. Would I want to? Not at all. I don’t believe that to be my worth. Still, that is not my decision. “.
But shortly afterward, Judon seemed to be a hold-in for the second consecutive year at training camp.
A new contract offer or an extension from the Patriots seemed unlikely given his advanced age and injury history from the previous campaign. Judon was let go by the Falcons, who will now have to negotiate a possible new contract, because this time they weren’t playing ball.
