Matthew

Judon

The Falcons will have Judon’s pass-rushing chops available on Sunday. His 10.7 percent quarterback pressure rate leads all Falcons edge rushers.

Judon still being able to log a limited session is a good sign, but we’ll see what kind of designation he carries into the weekend. The veteran pass rusher has totaled 15 tackles and 1.5 sacks in his three games with the Falcons, and will be needed in a big way in the team’s divisional matchup against the Saints this weekend.

Judon has spent the last two seasons trying to get a new contract out of the Patriots. Things finally reached a boiling point earlier this summer, which ultimately led to the Patriots trading him to the Falcons in exchange for a third-round pick. When asked about getting a new extension from the Falcons, Judon said, “The Falcons know nothing about me as a football player or as a man. They know my previous resumé. I can’t really demand or ask for anything I haven’t worked for. I’m gonna work for it.” It doesn’t sound like the Falcons will have to worry about finding themselves in a situation similar to that of Haason Reddick and the Jets, as Judon seems more than ready to play out the final year of his deal this season now that he’s with a new team.

Just days after it was reported Judon had multiple teams inquiring about him, Bleacher Report’s Jordan Schultz reports the Patriots are finalizing a trade to send him to the Falcons. He is entering the final year of his deal, set to make a base salary of $6.5 million. Judon was a brief hold-in to Patriots camp and now gets dealt. The Falcons presumably would be willing to give Judon a larger contract than the Patriots were and get the four-time Pro Bowler to bulk up their pass rush. ESPN’s Adam Schefter adds the Falcons are sending a third-round pick to the Patriots in return. While the Falcons do not yet have a new contract in place with Judon, he has been practicing with the Patriots and this is unlikely to turn into a situation like Haason Reddick’s with the Jets. Judon will be 32 at the start of the season, performing at a high level in New England with 32 sacks in 38 games. He previously spent five productive seasons with the Ravens. The Falcons now add Judon to wreak havoc as the most experienced edge rusher on the team.

Judon is in his final year with the Patriots and is set to make $6.5 million in the final year of his deal. Judon declined a contract offer from the Patriots earlier this summer and had a brief hold-in with the team before eventually reporting to practice. For a team that isn’t expected to contend for much in 2024, trading away Judon for future draft picks would be a wise move for both the Patriots and whatever contender is looking to acquire the veteran. Judon turns 32 years old later this week and is undoubtedly approaching the twilight of his career, but he should still have enough to serve as a high-end pass rusher if his four sacks in four games last season are any indicator.

Judon is seeking a new or reworked contract from the Patriots and did not practice with the team on Monday or Tuesday. Head coach Jerod Mayo said he and Judon had a “great meeting” recently and that both sides are “moving forward,” with Judon expected to re-join the team on Thursday. We don’t yet know if Judon and the Patriots have reached an agreement on a new/revised deal, but we’d expect that something is in the works if he takes to the field on Thursday.

Judon has been on the sidelines for the start of training camp while seeking a new contract from the Patriots. He began his career with the Ravens but exploded after signing with the Pats as a free agent. Judon totaled 12.5 sacks during his first season in New England in 2021 and upped that number to 15.5 in 2022. He then missed most of the 2023 season with a torn bicep. Judon is entering the final year of his contract and would earn a massive deal in free agency if he is available. However, things are moving in the right direction for him to stay in New England beyond this year.

Judon has been a good soldier this offseason while seeking a new contract. The veteran pass rusher reported to mandatory minicamp and has been present and participating in training camp up until Monday. Monday marked the first day of padded practice for the Patriots, and as The Athletic’s Chad Graff pointed out, Judon “showed up in a sweatshirt, chatted with [head coach] Jerod Mayo for a while, then left the main field.” We can’t say for certain that a hold-in is officially underway, but things appear to be trending in that direction. Judon, who turns 32 next month, is hoping to get one more extension from the Patriots before the start of this season, but that was the case last year before the team reworked his deal for 2023. He’s set to earn just over $14 million this season, but Judon is hoping for some long-term security before the start of the season. Before suffering a season-ending biceps injury last season, Judon had totaled four sacks in four games for the Patriots and has totaled 32 sacks in 38 career games with the team.

Judon reported to mandatory minicamp last month and isn’t considered a risk of holding out of training camp at this time. McKenna did say that “things are progressing in the right direction for an extension,” but it doesn’t sound like anything is imminent at this time. Last season, the Patriots restructured Judon’s contract for the 2023 season to guarantee him $14 million instead of the $2 million he was set to receive. It’s possible the two sides do something similar if they can’t land on a long-term extension, but there’s still time to get a deal done. Judon, who turns 32 in August, is coming off a 2023 that was shortened due to a biceps injury, but the veteran pass rusher totaled four sacks in the four games he appeared in. While the two sides appear to be in good standing with one another, it’s apparent that Judon is hoping to maximize on his value before entering the twilight of his career.

This was expected after Judon said in late May that he intended to report despite his interest in a new contract. Judon faced a similar issue last season but reported to the team after they agreed to tack an extra $12 million in guaranteed money onto his salary for the 2023 season. Judon appeared in just four games last season due to a biceps injury suffered in October but totaled four sacks and five TFLs in that short span. He’s totaled an impressive 32 sacks in 38 career games with the Patriots and has more than outplayed his current deal. It’s possible he and the team come to terms on a deal that leaves both sides satisfied for the 2024 season, if not longer.