The New England Patriots have faced challenges in recent seasons, but the arrival of a new quarterback has generated excitement. Amidst this, there has been significant speculation about the trade of Matthew Judon. Eliot Wolf, the Patriots’ executive vice president of player personnel, has finally addressed the decision to trade Judon to the Falcons.
According to nbcsportsboston.com, Wolf highlighted that timing was a crucial factor in the decision. “We had to consider the present, the future, and what’s best for both the team and the player,” Wolf explained. “Organizationally, we felt it was the right move for both parties.”
The Patriots received a third-round pick from the Falcons for the 32-year-old Judon, a former Pro Bowler who started his career with the Ravens. Judon earned his first Pro Bowl nod in his fourth season with a 9.5-sack performance and went on to make four consecutive Pro Bowl appearances, including two with the Patriots. However, in 2023, Judon’s production declined to four sacks in just four games. The third-round pick from the Falcons came as a surprise to many NFL executives, as noted by NBC Sports Boston.
Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo emphasized that the decision to trade Judon wasn’t driven by a need to part ways with him. “You know how I feel about Judon,” Mayo said. “It’s a win-win for both sides, and I wish him the best. These are long-term relationships, and that hasn’t changed.”
With Judon’s departure, Anfernee Jennings and Joshua Uche are expected to start at linebacker. Mayo mentioned that the team will seek other ways to generate quarterback pressure. “We’ve managed to produce a pass rush through schemes and planning even without a premier rusher like Chandler Jones or Judon,” Mayo said. “It’s difficult to replace Judon’s impact both on and off the field, but we have a strong group ready to step up.”
Financial considerations also played a role in the decision. Edge rushers in the NFL are costly, with top players like Myles Garrett and Montez Sweat commanding over $20 million annually. Judon had expressed a desire for a new contract, and there were reportedly heated discussions about his contract with Mayo and Wolf during practice, according to nbcsportsboston.com.