After parting ways with legendary head coach Bill Belichick and trading quarterback Mac Jones to the Jacksonville Jaguars, the New England Patriots have decided to start fresh. They hired Jerod Mayo as their new head coach and brought in rookie quarterback Drake Maye as a potential franchise cornerstone.
As the team embarks on a rebuilding process that may take years for the storied franchise to recover in the AFC, the general consensus is that they won’t commit to players long-term, except for promising young talents like Maye.
This has led to speculation that the team’s best player, veteran linebacker Matthew Judon, might be traded despite his desire for a lucrative contract extension with the team.
Judon has consistently performed well for the Patriots, making them competitive during tough times. However, the team appears reluctant to commit to a long-term deal with him.
According to Taylor Kyles of Patriots on CLNS Media, the current negotiation issue between the Patriots and Judon revolves around guaranteeing his contract for the next two years.
“I don’t think they’re negotiating about 2024. I think they’re negotiating about the guarantee for 2025 and 2026,” Kyles said.
Judon, who was named to the Pro Bowl for four consecutive seasons before last year when he only played four games, seemed to have taken on the role of the team’s best player after Tom Brady left for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Although Judon is worth the money and years he’s asking for, the Patriots are still trying to determine their long-term strategy, which may not include the veteran linebacker.
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