Insider Reveals What May Be Holding Up Matthew Judon’s Contract Talks
After parting ways with legendary head coach Bill Belichick and trading quarterback Mac Jones to the Jacksonville Jaguars, the New England Patriots have embarked on a rebuilding journey. They hired Jerod Mayo as their new head coach and brought in rookie quarterback Drake Maye, hoping he would become the franchise’s cornerstone.
As the Patriots prepare for a lengthy rebuilding process, the general expectation is that the team will avoid long-term commitments to players, focusing instead on promising young talent like Maye. Despite this, veteran linebacker Matthew Judon, arguably the team’s best player, has been seeking a lucrative contract extension. There has even been speculation that Judon could be traded.
Judon has been a consistently productive player for the Patriots, helping maintain their competitiveness during challenging times. However, the team appears hesitant to commit to him long-term. According to Taylor Kyles of Patriots on CLNS Media, the sticking point in negotiations is the guarantee of Judon’s contract for the 2025 and 2026 seasons.
“I don’t think they’re negotiating about 2024. I think they’re negotiating about the guarantee for 2025 and 2026,” Kyles explained.
Judon, who only played four games for the Patriots last season due to injury, had previously been named to the Pro Bowl in four consecutive seasons. He seemed to take on the role of the team’s top player following Tom Brady’s departure to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Despite his value and his desire for a multi-year deal, the Patriots are still trying to determine their long-term strategy, which may or may not include Judon.
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