Patriots send 4-time Pro Bowler Matt Judon to Falcons after contract stalemate: reports

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The New England Patriots and Matthew Judon found an end to their contract stalemate, but the four-time Pro Bowl edge rusher won’t be remaining with the team. 

The Patriots have reportedly sent Judon to the Atlanta Falcons in exchange for a 2025 NFL Draft third-round pick, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. 

Though Judon gets a new start with a different team, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero adds the Falcons and Judon haven’t worked out a new contract just yet.

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Matthew Judon #9 of the New England Patriots defends against the Dallas Cowboys during the second half at AT&T Stadium on October 1, 2023 in Arlington, Texas. (Cooper Neill/Getty Images)

Judon has been searching for a new contract this offseason, as he is set to make $6.5 million in base salary in the final year of his current deal. However, those contract talks with the Patriots didn’t go according to his plan, leading to a stalemate heading into training camp. 

There was also a moment early in training camp when Judon and new head coach of the Patriots, Jerod Mayo, got into a heated argument, though it wasn’t known what was said. 

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Judon did say that he wanted to remain a Patriot, but that all changes now as he heads to the NFC South to a Falcons squad in desperate need of more production on the defensive line. 

Judon couldn’t play a full season in 2023 after tearing his bicep, leading to only four games played. But, during those four games, he had four sacks, 13 tackles and nine quarterback hits. 

Prior to his season-ending injury, Judon totaled 15.5 sacks