The New England Patriots have been going back and forth with edge rusher Matthew Judon throughout the offseason, and this week has been an interesting one for the two sides.
Judon showed up to Monday's training camp session without pads on and had animated conversations with head coach Jerod Mayo and front office executives Eliot Wolf and Matt Groh before leaving the field. He was absent on Tuesday and returned for Thursday and Friday but his level of participation was lower than that of an expected starter.
This saga has many wondering what the result will be. Will New England pay Judon to keep him happy? Will Judon play on his original contract? Will the team cut him or send him to another team?
In his recent NFL mailbag, NFL insider Albert Breer answered a fan's question about the Chicago Bears bringing in another pass rusher before the season starts, and he suggested that Chicago poke around New England.
Here's what Breer wrote:
"I wouldn’t rule out the Bears bringing Yannick Ngakoue back, or kicking the tires on a Carl Lawson, Charles Harris or Shaq Lawson. If I were them, I’d call the New England Patriots on Matthew Judon, too."
If the Patriots can get a decent return for Judon right now, it might be the best thing for them and their future. Yes, losing the pass rusher will be hurtful for the 2024 season, and they'll be a worse team this year, but this isn't a team that's competing for anything significant.
Giving playing time to other edge rushers and defensive ends like Joshua Uche, Anfernee Jennings and Keion White could be more beneficial, as they have a chance to be part of New England's long-term goals.
