The saga between the Patriots and Matthew Judon has come to an end.
New England is trading the star pass rusher to the Falcons for a 2025 third-round pick, according to NFL insider Ian Rapoport.
Judon is in the final year of the four-year, $54.5 million deal he signed with New England back in 2021. He is owed just $6.5 million this season, which is a cheap price tag for one of the NFL's best defensive ends.
Judon is coming off a season-ending triceps injury but is back to full strength and will be ready to start the 2024 season. He will look to help a Falcons team hoping to contend for an NFC South title under new head coach Raheem Morris.
For more information on the Judon trade between Atlanta and New England, The Sporting News has you covered below.
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Matthew Judon trade details
Falcons receive:
- DE Matthew Judon
Patriots receive:
- 2025 third-round pick
The Patriots will receive a 2025 third-round pick for Judon, which is fair compensation for a star pass rusher on an expiring contract.
New England and Judon hit a stalemate in contract negotiations this offseason. The Patriots reportedly offered him an extension going into training camp but the defensive end refuted that rumor on social media.
The two sides never came to terms on a deal and that fallout trickled into the preseason. Judon sat out for two days of practice as they tried to work out an extension and he was seen having a heated conversation with new head coach Jerod Mayo before being sent home on one of those days.
With no new contract agreed upon, New England found a trade suitor interested in the defensive star.
Judon will be a massive acquisition for a Falcons team hoping to contend for an NFC South title. He had 4.0 sacks in four games prior to a season-ending injury last year, and he was among the league leaders in sacks the two seasons before that.
Judon tallied 28.0 sacks across the 2021 and 2022 seasons. His career-high 15.5 sacks in 2022 were good for fourth-most in the NFL, earning him AP Defensive Player of the Year votes.
Atlanta had a mediocre defense last season and finished in the bottom half of the league in sacks. Judon's constant quarterback pressure will only help the Falcons' defense take another step forward.
