The New England Patriots and star pass rusher Matthew Judon have yet to reach an agreement on a new contract, marking a significant setback for the organization.
According to Fox Sports’ Henry McKenna, Judon has requested a new deal, but despite the Patriots extending an offer, the two sides “are not currently close to agreeing to a new deal.”
Judon has been a standout player for the Patriots since joining in 2021. Over 114 games, the 31-year-old has recorded 133 total tackles, 32 sacks, and 33 tackles for loss.
With Bill Belichick no longer at the helm, it appeared that New England’s history of letting stars like Lawyer Milloy and Asante Samuel leave after team-friendly deals had ended. The Patriots had gained a reputation for lacking loyalty to players.
This offseason, the Patriots seemed to be reversing this trend with Jerod Mayo as head coach and Eliot Wolf leading the front office. Key players such as Kendrick Bourne, Christian Barmore, David Andrews, and Jahlani Tavai were all retained by New England.
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The retention of a player like Andrews is notable. An aging veteran, Andrews might have ended his career elsewhere if Belichick were still in charge. Andrews’ contract, valued at $12M with potential incentives raising it to $13M, contrasts with the penny-pinching practices of the past Patriots.
Given this shift, New England should prioritize retaining Judon. Although Judon struggled with health issues in 2023, playing only four games, he has historically been a top defender for the Patriots.
If Judon leaves, it would indicate a regression to old habits for the organization. Without the legendary coach Belichick, the Patriots cannot afford such missteps..
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