According to NFL insider Jordan Schultz, the New England Patriots and the Atlanta Falcons have agreed to a trade featuring pass rusher Matthew Judon.
The New England Patriots are receiving draft capital from the Atlanta Falcons
New England will send Judon to Atlanta for a 2025 third-round pick. Judon and the Patriots have been amid a contract dispute, which resulted in the Patriots shopping Judon around the league.
The Patriots reportedly offered Judon a contract, but Judon did not accept the contract. The star pass rusher was set to make $6.5 million this year, but he wanted a new contract.
Multiple teams have inquired about trading for pass rusher Matthew Judon amid his contract stalemate with the #Patriots, per sources.
Judon is due $6.5M in the final year of his deal. New England made a contract offer to Judon this summer, which Judon did not accept. pic.twitter.com/fEfeNBVxwo
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) August 12, 2024
Judon previously expressed a desire to stay in New England in an article from the Associated Press, but the Patriots seem to be opting for more of a rebuild route as they head into 2024.
“I’ve told you (reporters) of my desire to stay here,” said Judon. “With more years would come more money. That’s usually how a contract works, but it’s not up to me. (Wolf and Groh) come out here every day. You guys just don’t ask them questions.”
“Football and business are two different things. I love playing football. I love my teammates. I don’t like the business of football,” Judon said.
Former New England Patriots pass rusher Matthew Judon will provide value to the Atlanta Falcons
Assuming the Falcons and Judon at least tentatively agreed to a contract before the trade unlike the New York Jets and Haason Reddick, Judon will be able to provide massive value to an already talented Falcons defense that will be attacking 2024 under a new regime.
Judon, who started his career with the Baltimore Ravens in 2016, has had a massive jump in productivity since joining the Patriots. He was a two-time Pro Bowl selection during his five-year stint with the Ravens.
In the two full seasons he played with the Patriots, he was also selected to the Pro Bowl twice. In 2022 Judon even received votes for Defensive Player of the Year. His two most productive years when it comes to sack totals, 2021 and 2022, saw him finish with 12.5 sacks and 15.5 sacks, respectively.
Those two seasons with New England were the only two seasons in which Judon had double-digit sacks. Judon only played in four games in 2023.
Many Atlanta Falcons fans think the New England Patriots got ‘fleeced’
A 2025 third-round pick for Judon seems to be enough to satiate the appetite of Falcons fans. Atlanta fans took to social media to express their joy upon hearing the news that they acquired a premiere NFL pass rusher with a veteran presence.
Hope the Falcons have a contract in place. Don’t make the same mistake as the Jets.
— Gridiron Media (@Gridiron_Media_) August 14, 2024
Patriots got FLEECED😹
— Depressed Buffalo Sports Fan (@Tommy_Dangles72) August 14, 2024
There is no f*****g way we just got a 3rd rounder for one of the best pass rusher in the league bro no FUCKING WAY
— Alexander Studzinski☝🏻 (@AStudzinski12) August 14, 2024
HOLY FLEECE LMAO
— JT 4 MVP (@tatum4mvp2021) August 14, 2024
holy fleeced
— the realest (@lean4fungazer) August 14, 2024
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