Patriots edge rusher Matt Judon has one year remaining on his current contract. He is due to earn $7.5MM in 2024 and is angling for a new deal, although he has stated that he will not stage a hold-in during this summer’s training camp as he did last year.
The most recent reporting on this matter indicated that, despite extension talks between player and team having taken place this offseason, no agreement was imminent. Mike Jurecki of Arizona Football Daily, however, suggests that the two sides could be closer than expected, reporting that the league’s “next big contract” will not be for one of the quarterbacks known to be negotiating an extension — namely, Jordan Love, Tua Tagovailoa, and Dak Prescott — but for Judon.
That would certainly make for an interesting development, especially since Judon’s 2023 campaign was marred by injury. He was limited to just four games last season due to a biceps injury, and he tallied four sacks, his lowest total since his rookie season in 2016. And, without the threat of a hold-in or similar negotiating tactic, the Pats could simply allow him to play out the upcoming season before making a decision about his future in Foxborough.
On the other hand, the new Patriots regime, fronted by Eliot Wolf, has made it a point to lock down some of the club’s top talent this offseason. Judon, who is entering his age-32 season, does not necessarily profile as a long-term building block, but skilled pass rushers are a precious commodity regardless of their age, and Wolf does have plenty of future salary cap space to work with. Plus, if rookie QB Drake Maye should live up to his potential, an extension for Judon would keep him under club control for at least the first season or two of New England’s next competitive window.
Since he is coming off a down year, Judon does not have a ton of leverage at this point. Still, he has already made over $67MM during his playing career, and he could be amenable to a somewhat team-friendly accord that nonetheless guarantees him a notable sum of cash and gives him a little more security in the process. Even assuming Jurecki’s sources are correct, it is unclear what they mean by “big contract.”