Matt Judon’s contract stalemate with New England is over, and he’s on the move to Atlanta.
The Patriots are trading Judon to the Falcons in exchange for a 2025 NFL Draft third-round pick, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported. Atlanta announced the transaction Thursday morning.
Judon and the Falcons have not worked out a new contract, at least not yet, NFL Network Insider Tom Pelissero added.
New England and Judon, who is set to make a $6.5 million base salary in the final year of his current deal, had been engaging in contract talks to no avail throughout the offseason. The disenchantment went up a level when a seemingly frustrated Judon and Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo were seen on video in an animated exchange on July 29.
Since then, Judon expressed his desire to remain with the Pats, but instead is flying south to play for the Falcons, whose pass rush will immediately be infused by the acquisition.
Judon is 31 years old and coming off a 2023 season in which he played just four games due to a bicep tear, but still had four sacks. He’s posted 66.5 sacks across his eight-season career with the Baltimore Ravens and Patriots.
From 2021-2022 with the Pats, Judon averaged 14 sacks per season, but things soured in Boston as the franchise handed out extensions aplenty but left the linebacker unattended.
Per Over the Cap, New England has nearly $45 million available in salary cap space. The Patriots have signed safety Kyle Dugger, safety Jabrill Peppers, running back Rhamondre Stevenson, defensive lineman Christian Barmore and offensive tackle Mike Onwenu, among others, to extensions this offseason.
They won’t be handing out one to Judon, whose role will be arduous to fill. The Patriots will likely look to Anfernee Jennings, Josh Uche, Raekwon McMillan and others to step up.
As for Atlanta, the franchise is most certainly in win-now mode.
The trade for Judon comes after years of the franchise searching for a bona fide edge rusher and just a few days after rookie edge Bralen Trice was placed on injured reserve.
Having made a splash with the offseason signing of quarterback Kirk Cousins to lead an offense overflowing with talent, the Falcons are now bolstering their defense. With defensive tackle Grady Jarrett, safety Jessie Bates and cornerback A.J. Terrell, Judon gives Atlanta a defensive pillar at each level.
Mayo said on Aug. 1 that he, Judon and the team were “moving forward.” Now, they are moving on.