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Latest On Matt Judon’s Patriots Departure

August 20th, 2024 at 1:46pm CST by Sam Robinson

As the Patriots gave notable contracts to several in-house options this offseason, Matt Judon is now with the Falcons. That became New England’s solution to a simmering issue, with solid offers coming in from multiple teams.

After losing the Montez Sweat sweepstakes to the Bears at the deadline, the Falcons won out by sending a third-rounder to the Pats. Judon remains in a contract year and, unlike Haason Reddick, is not forcing the issue with his new team. No extension appears imminent. This is not the way, of course, Judon approached matters during his final weeks as a Patriot.

Judon’s situation, which involved a hold-in and a visible dustup with Patriots brass at practice, escalated after the Patriots extended Christian Barmore, according to Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer. This agreement (four years, $84MM) came to pass back in late April, leading into the Pats’ offseason program. It made Barmore the Pats’ highest-paid defender — by a significant margin. Although Judon received an adjustment last summer, he was still tied to a four-year, $54MM deal he had signed in 2021. The ex-Ravens draftee had outplayed that contract, but his age (32) and the biceps tear he sustained last season complicated his path to new terms.

The Pats were talking extension terms with both Barmore and Judon back in March, but conversations with the latter did not progress. Judon did not skip minicamp, but he staged a hold-in at training camp. New England’s camp then included a two-year, $18MM deal with DT Davon Godchaux, a player who had also angled for a new contract. The Patriots had submitted an offer by early July, and a subsequent report stated multiple proposals emerged. These were not believed to be true extension offers, and Judon disputed the report. Judon said he was not pursuing a top-market contract, citing his injury, but believed he was worth more than the $6.5MM in base salary — a number affected by the Pats moving money from 2024 to 2023 on his deal last summer — he was tied to in his contract year.

This lengthy chapter also included the dispute with Jerod Mayo and de facto GM Eliot Wolf. Judon argued with both Pats decision-makers before leaving a practice weeks ago, and although he soon returned, Breer indicates calls began coming in soon after. The Bears and Falcons offered third-round picks, and the Dolphins and Texans were in on the pursuit as well. Judon now joins Justin Simmons as 30-something Falcons defenders aiming to improve their respective markets ahead of the 2025 free agency period.

As for the Patriots, this trade will challenge their ability to pressure quarterbacks. Barmore remains on New England’s NFI list due to blood clots. If the team’s 2023 sack leader is moved to the reserve/NFI list in the coming days, he must miss at least four games. While the Pats have the recently re-signed Josh Uche and 2023 second-rounder Keion White on the edge, Judon combined for 28 sacks between the 2021 and ’22 seasons.

After Judon saw so many Patriots receive extensions this offseason, the situation became untenable. The Pats did well to collect a third-rounder, though, and how Judon bounces back will help determine who prevails in the NFC South.

Bears, Dolphins, Texans Showed Interest In Matt Judon; No Falcons Extension Imminent

August 18th, 2024 at 4:02pm CST by Adam La Rose

AUGUST 18: With third-round picks on the table from both the Falcons and Bears, Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated notes Judon was given the choice of which suitor he would prefer to join. His decision to head to Atlanta has not been followed up by an extension, but it adds an interesting layer to his Patriots departure given Chicago’s perceived need for a starting edge rusher to pair with Montez Sweat.

AUGUST 15: Matt Judon‘s contact issue with the Patriots was resolved last night when a trade with the Falcons was worked out. That swap is now official, and New England received a third-round pick as compensation for the pending free agent edge rusher.

Atlanta had competition for Judon before the trade was agreed to. The Bears were “heavily involved” in negotiations, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports. Just as the Falcons did, Phil Perry of NBC Sports Boston notes Chicago offered a third-round selection. The Patriots opted to take Atalanta’s pick instead, marking an end to a saga which included missed practice time and frustration over the lack of progress on extension talks.

Perry confirms, to little surprise, that a “sizable gap” existed between Judon’s asking price and where the Patriots were willing to go on a new contract. The four-time Pro Bowler was highly productive during his New England tenure, but a 2023 biceps injury along with his age (32 today) represented reasons for hesitancy on the team’s part. After no resolution was found, the former fifth-rounder will now join a Falcons team which explored an edge rush addition on Day 1 of the draft even after selecting quarterback Michael Penix Jr. 

In addition to the Bears, Fowler and KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson report the Dolphins and Texans showed varying levels of interest in a Judon acquisition. Wilson adds that Houston’s efforts consisted of a “brief inquiry,” and New England no doubt would have preferred to avoid making a trade within the division in the form of a Miami swap. The Pats’ ability to acquire a round three selection came as a surprise to some executives around the league, per Perry, and sending Judon to the NFC also carries value.

The Grand Valley State alum is due a base salary of $6.5MM in 2024 in addition to a maximum of $1MM in per-game roster bonuses. A new contract will be much more valuable, but it does not appear one will necessarily be hammered out between now and the start of the regular season. CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones reports Judon is set to report to Atlanta without an extension in place or an agreement on one being imminent. Indeed, head coach Raheem Morris said (via Josh Kendall of The Athletic) the team is not committed to an extension at this time.

Players acquired via trade often have the parameters of a new contract in place by the time the swap is official. Exceptions exist, of course, and one ongoing example of the issues which can stem from not finalizing a new (or restructured) deal is the situation between the Jets and Haason Reddick. New York’s recently-acquired edge rusher has one year remaining on a below-market contract, and he has not reported to the team while angling for an adjustment or a multi-year commitment.

Judon did not conduct a holdout as he did last summer, but he made it clear he felt his market value was closer to the top of the position’s pecking order than his 2024 compensation. 12 edge rushers are currently attached to an AAV of $20MM or more; Judon may be hard-pressed to reach that mark given the fact he was limited to just four games last season. Still, a raise could be in order upon arrival in Atlanta. If the Falcons remain willing to let him play out his contract as constructed, though, Judon would be set up to hit the open market next March.

Patriots’ Eliot Wolf Addresses Brandon Aiyuk Pursuit, Team’s WR Depth

August 18th, 2024 at 3:16pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Patriots were one of the teams which worked out the framework of a trade for Brandon Aiyuk. The 49ers wideout is not interested in playing for New England, however, a stance which he appears to also hold with the Browns.

As a result, the Patriots are reported to be out of the running to land Aiyuk. New England made a concerted effort to sign Calvin Ridley in free agency, and the team likewise had a major financial commitment ready in Aiyuk’s case. The latter could have signed for as much as $32MM per season on a long-term deal, but his choice is now down to the 49ers or the Steelers. With New England’s attention once again on in-house receiving options, de facto general manager Eliot Wolf confirmed a renewed Aiyuk push will not take place.

“Yeah, just kind of a feel,’ Wolf said when speaking to the media about the 26-year-old’s situation (via Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk). “It was sort of a situation where he’s still in San Francisco, and that hasn’t been worked out from their standpoint yet. But we just felt, organizationally, our young receivers have had a really good week, and they’re continuing to progress, so we’re excited about those guys.”

Indeed, the Patriots have made a number of receiver investments via the draft in recent years. The likes of Demario Douglas, Kayshon Boutte, Ja’Lynn Polk and Javon Baker have all been added via that route since 2023. Those players, along with returnee Kendrick Bourne and free agent addition K.J. Osborn will compete for targets in a receiver room which no longer includes JuJu Smith-Schuster.

Like Ridley, Aiyuk would have provided New England with a considerable boost in the passing game. The Arizona State product has increased his production each season, earning second-team All-Pro honors in 2023 after he posted 75 receptions and a 17.9 yards per catch average. Neither the 49ers nor the Steelers have been willing to match New England’s offer from a financial standpoint, but signs continue to point to San Francisco retaining Aiyuk being the likeliest outcome in his saga.

In the meantime, the Patriots’ attention will turn to the quarterback situation. Third overall pick Drake Maye has made progress during training camp and the preseason, and the door is still open to him supplanting veteran Jacoby Brissett as the starter before Week 1. Whichever passer is in place to start the season, though, Aiyuk will not be part of the team’s receiving corps.

Patriots HC Jerod Mayo: QB Competition ‘Definitely Isn’t Over’

August 16th, 2024 at 5:56pm CST by Adam La Rose

At the onset of training camp, Jacoby Brissett resided atop the Patriots’ quarterback depth chart. That came as little surprise, considering the attention being placed on developing No. 3 pick Drake Maye at a slow pace.

Head coach Jerod Mayo made it clear, however, that the door remained open for the latter to earn the Week 1 nod with a strong showing in camp and the preseason. With two of the team’s three exhibition contests in the books, Maye has done enough to at least keep himself in consideration. Mayo’s most recent comments on the matter confirm no decision on a starting passer has been made yet.

“We have three more days of training camp practices, and it’s our job as coaches to evaluate and the competition isn’t over,” the first-year head coach said (via ESPN’s Mike Reiss). “They have to show not only themselves and the coaches [but] also their teammates.”

Maye only played one series in Week 1 of the preseason, but that total quadrupled last night against the Eagles. The North Carolina alum completed six of 11 pass attempts for 47 yards and scored a rushing touchdown. That marked a step forward from his limited production (and opportunities) last week, and Brissett has not filled the statsheet when on the field so far. The 31-year-old has gone a combined 3-for-10 for 17 scoreless yards and one interception in preseason action.

Brissett signed a one-year, $8MM pact in free agency to return to the Patriots and serve as a bridge starter. He has 48 starts to his name split across time with the Colts, Browns and Dolphins along with his previous New England stint. After the team turned down considerable interest for the third overall pick and used it on Maye, though, it was clear he represented the passer of the future – and potentially present – pending his ability to acclimate to the NFL level this offseason.

Mayo added that both signal-callers will play on August 25, New England’s preseason finale. A final decision will no doubt only be made after that contest, with Brissett and Maye’s respective showings being taken into consideration. As Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and (in all likelihood) Bo Nix prepare for Week 1 starting gigs as first-round rookies, Maye could soon join them in that respect. It will be interesting to see how Brissett performs in the final practices of training camp and the upcoming exhibition game as he attempts to delay Maye’s debut.

Patriots, Falcons Complete Matt Judon Trade

August 14th, 2024 at 10:40pm CST by Sam Robinson

After their Michael Penix Jr. selection, the Falcons tried to trade back into the first round — for the purpose of acquiring a pass rusher. Atlanta is circling back here, doing so via trade. The NFC South team is set to resolve the Patriots’ Matt Judon issue.

The Falcons finalized an agreement to acquire Judon from the Pats, according to NFL reporter Jordan Schultz. As New England has gone through with several pricey deals for veterans this offseason, Judon remains in a contract year and has expressed frustration. He would stand to fill a key need for a Falcons team short on edge rushers.

Atlanta is sending New England a third-round pick for the ninth-year edge presence, NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport tweets. This will bring an end to an offseason saga that had Judon at odds with the team’s new-look front office. The former Ravens draftee, who produced double-digit sack seasons in his first two Patriots years, is going into his age-32 season.

Both the Falcons’ top sack artists from last season — Bud Dupree, Calais Campbell — signed elsewhere this offseason, and the Falcons were unable to swing a deal that would have landed them one of this draft’s premier edge players. This has been an Atlanta issue for a long time now, as Thomas Dimitroff-era first-round investments Vic Beasley and Takk McKinley did not pan out. In Judon, the Falcons land a proven sack artist — albeit one coming off an injury-shortened season.

It will be interesting to see if the Falcons have a deal ready for Judon, as this otherwise could remind of the situation transpiring in New York. The Jets traded a conditional third-round pick to the Eagles for Haason Reddick but have been unable to bring him in, with a lengthy holdout transpiring due to a contract impasse. One season remains on Judon’s contract, which he attempted to upgrade during his final months in New England. No new contract is in place yet, per NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero.

We heard earlier this week teams were calling on Judon’s availability, and The Athletic’s Dianna Russini reports several teams discussed the pass rusher with the Pats. After signing off on several extensions and re-signings of Bill Belichick-era acquisitions, new Pats front office boss Eliot Wolf will move on in exchange for a Day 2 pick. This deal makes sense from both sides, as a rebuilding team will move a disgruntled 30-something in a contract year to a club suddenly readier to win thanks to Kirk Cousins‘ arrival.

A recent report indicated the Patriots made multiple offers to Judon; the ninth-year edge disputed this account. Those alleged offers were not believed to be extensions, and Judon watched the Pats pay other defenders (Christian Barmore, Kyle Dugger, Davon Godchaux) while leaving his contract untouched. The Division II product recently noted that, coming off a significant biceps injury that limited him to four games last season, he was not expecting to draw a top-market number. But he added that he is worth more than his current $6.5MM base salary.

This comes a year after the then-Belichick-led Patriots adjusted Judon’s contract, moving money from 2024 to 2023 and increasing the player’s guarantees last year. Judon could not hit the incentives included in that package, going down early. But the Pats did reward their 2021 free agent signing after he notched 12.5- and 15.5-sack seasons in 2021 and ’22.

Judon signed a four-year, $54.5MM deal as a 2021 free agent, joining the Pats as the team deviated from its M.O. and signed a host of veterans on a pandemic-affected market. The five-year Raven was by far the best of those signings, and the Falcons will bet on him bouncing back from the biceps tear.

Before attempting to trade into the middle of Round 1 for defensive help (specifically edge player Laiatu Latu), the Falcons had tried to obtain Montez Sweat at the 2023 deadline. They offered a third-round pick, but the Bears beat that by sending the Commanders a second. Dupree and Campbell each finished the season with 6.5 sacks before respectively leaving for Los Angeles and Miami. While Atlanta still rosters former second-round pick Arnold Ebiketie (six 2023 sacks), Judon offers an anchor-level presence.

Turning 32 on Thursday, Judon has four Pro Bowls on his resume. The first two came in Baltimore. In 2019, Judon compiled 33 QB hits and ahead of the Ravens franchise-tagging him in 2020. He finished with 28 QB hits during his most recent full season (2022), driving the third-round compensation for a player unsigned for 2025.

Although the Falcons famously passed on hiring Belichick as HC, they will hope one of his former finds can provide a boost for a pass rush that desperately needs it. Judon will now pair with D-line stalwart Grady Jarrett, who recently received full clearance following an ACL tear, for Raheem Morris‘ defense.

Jerod Mayo‘s team, meanwhile, is suddenly shorthanded on the edge. The Pats did, however, draft Keion White in the 2023 second round and re-signed Josh Uche this offseason. With Judon being a rare veteran Wolf did not extend, the Pats will prepare to use that third-rounder to help future squads.

Minor NFL Transactions: 8/14/24

August 14th, 2024 at 9:20pm CST by Ely Allen

Wednesday’s minor moves:

Atlanta Falcons

Buffalo Bills

Carolina Panthers

Cincinnati Bengals

Dallas Cowboys

  • Signed: C Cohl Cabral
  • Waived (with injury designation): DE Shaka Toney

Denver Broncos

Detroit Lions

Green Bay Packers

Indianapolis Colts

Las Vegas Raiders

Los Angeles Chargers

Los Angeles Rams

Miami Dolphins

Minnesota Vikings

New England Patriots

New Orleans Saints

New York Giants

Pittsburgh Steelers

San Francisco 49ers

Seattle Seahawks

Washington Commanders

Cabral joins the Cowboys after UFL stints in Birmingham and Michigan. He adds more depth to the team’s offensive line after the team lost Chuma Edoga in their first preseason game and saw Earl Bostick helped off the field today. Toney suffered a groin injury, leading to this injury waiver, but could return to the team should he clear waivers.

Powers-Johnson was on some concerning ground with how much time he had missed with a concussion, but the Raiders saw him return to practice today.

The 49ers are adding some significant depth on the defensive line in Williams, who has vast starting experience in the NFL. Cutting Turner could mean that the return of Dre Greenlaw may on a better timeline than expected.

Steelers’ Brandon Aiyuk Offer Short Of $30MM Per Year

August 12th, 2024 at 10:00pm CST by Sam Robinson

After an eventful week, the 49ers‘ top outside receiver/rumor machine remains on the NFC champions’ roster. Brandon Aiyuk‘s hold-in continues, and connections to teams have slowed a bit.

Details on the Patriots and Browns’ offers have emerged, and SI.com’s Albert Breer now sheds some light on where the Steelers have gone for the fifth-year wideout. Pittsburgh has offered a deal around $28MM per year. Aiyuk was believed to be less than satisfied with Pittsburgh’s proposal, and San Francisco has also expressed hesitancy regarding a Steelers trade package.

An early report had the Patriots’ offer beyond $28.5MM, but a subsequent assessment of New England’s proposal placed it in the $32MM-AAV area. Aiyuk hesitancy about joining the Patriots is interesting, given the offer. It is also unclear what the Pats were proposing the 49ers in trades, though Breer notes the 49ers asked for Kendrick Bourne. That is rather interesting since Bourne began his career in San Francisco, though he is obviously not on Aiyuk’s level and is coming off an ACL tear.

The Browns are believed to have offered Amari Cooper, along with second- and fifth-round picks. One of last week’s many Aiyuk storylines indicated he nixed a deal to Cleveland. Still, this would be a fascinating swap, seeing as Cleveland traded for another 2020 first-round wideout (Jerry Jeudy) months ago and gave him an extension. Cooper remains on his Cowboys-constructed contract, albeit with some incentives for 2024, and would satisfy a 49ers desire to acquire immediate receiving help if they are to actually trade Aiyuk.

Letting Aiyuk’s camp speak with teams doubled as a 49ers fact-finding mission, and while the Steelers may still be in this, Breer predicts this saga ends with a San Francisco deal finally coming to fruition. As of midsummer, the 49ers were believed to be in the $26-$27MM-per-year range. The Steelers’ approximate $28MM-per-year proposal would place Aiyuk around the point Jaylen Waddle settled at this offseason. Aiyuk has long been tied to wanting an AAV around the $30MM Amon-Ra St. Brown number, but the lack of interest in New England also effectively confirms he wants to join a team with fewer questions on offense.

The Dolphins gave Waddle a $28.25MM-AAV accord complete with $76MM guaranteed. The Steelers have not been big on multiyear guarantees for non-quarterbacks (or T.J. Watt), with signing bonuses doing much of the post-Year 1 work in most of the old-school franchise’s contracts. It would not surprise if that component is producing Aiyuk’s hesitancy regarding a Steelers offer. Of course, the 49ers would need to sign off on a deal to move him. And the Steelers, barring a counterproductive George Pickens inclusion, do not have a receiver to send over.

As of late last week, the Steelers were content to let the chips fall. Breer adds they do not want to include a player in their offer. An increased offer does not sound likely, though nothing can be completely ruled out right now. Following a work week of trade talks, the 49ers ramped up their extension effort — after another meeting with the player.

Months into this process, we continue to wait. The 49ers completed extensions with George Kittle, Deebo Samuel and Nick Bosa after training camp started. The sides now have more information as to what Aiyuk’s market is. That should provide a pathway to a deal or a trade — at long last.

Minor NFL Transactions: 8/12/24

August 12th, 2024 at 8:07pm CST by Sam Robinson

Here are Monday’s minor moves:

Atlanta Falcons

Baltimore Ravens

Cincinnati Bengals

  • Activated from active/PUP: DT Devonnsha Maxwell

Cleveland Browns

  • Signed: LB Brandon Bouyer-Randle, S Chase Williams
  • Released: RB John Kelly
  • Waived: DE Marcus Haynes
  • Waived/injured: CB Vincent Gray

Denver Broncos

  • Claimed (from Giants): DB Kaleb Hayes
  • Waived: ILB Alec Mock

Detroit Lions

Houston Texans

Indianapolis Colts

Los Angeles Chargers

Miami Dolphins

New England Patriots

New Orleans Saints

New York Giants

New York Jets

  • Signed: LB Anthony Hines, TE Neal Johnson
  • Waived: LB Jimmy Ciarlo, CB Myles Jones

Pittsburgh Steelers

  • Claimed (from Ravens): OL Tykeem Doss
  • Waived/injured: DB Kalon Barnes

San Francisco 49ers

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Hernia surgery forced Tampa to the Ravens’ active/PUP list, but the fourth-round pick is ready to return. Needing a double hernia operation after minicamp (per The Athletic’s Jeff Zrebiec), Tampa is unlikely to be ready for practice until at least next week. By avoiding a move to the reserve/PUP list, Tampa is no longer at risk of missing Baltimore’s first four games.

A rookie UDFA, Murphy went down with an MCL injury, per NFL.com’s Cameron Wolfe. The Dolphins signed Brown, a four-year Giants special-teamer and backup presence, in April. While the Dolphins continue to deal with linebacker injuries, they did bring Jaelan Phillips off the PUP list today.

Fromm spent most of the past two seasons with the Commanders, but the team — as it transitions to a new regime — cut the former Georgia passer in May. He joins a Lions team that still rosters Nate Sudfeld along with Jared Goff and Hendon Hooker.

Patriots’ Matt Judon Drawing Trade Interest

August 12th, 2024 at 3:24pm CST by Adam La Rose

No agreement has been reached between Matt Judon and the Patriots as he approaches the final year of his current contract. To little surprise, teams around the NFL are looking into a potential acquisition.

New England has received trade inquiries from “multiple teams,” ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports. The four-time Pro Bowler has not been a full participant in training camp this summer, although he recently resumed practicing on a daily basis. Judon wants to finish his career with the Patriots, but no deal on an extension or an upgraded pact for 2024 appears to be imminent.

As Fowler’s report confirms, New England made an offer earlier this summer. That was rejected by Judon, who is due $7.5MM for the coming season. The top of the edge market is much higher than that, and while the soon-to-be 32-year-old will not command a deal near the top of the pecking order his production suggests he could be due a raise. Judon has recorded 32 sacks in 33 games as a member of the Patriots.

A biceps injury limited the former fifth-rounder to four games last season, something which has hurt his leverage in contract talks. To little surprise, though, Judon has expressed frustration with his situation this offseason, one in which the Eliot Wolf-Jerod Mayo regime has retained a slew of in-house players. Defensive tackle Davon Godchaux was similarly upset with his deal until an extension was worked out.

New England currently has nearly $45MM in cap space, and the team sits third in terms of projected 2025 finacial flexibility. A raise for Judon in the short term or a deal making him one of the Patriots’ higher-paid players in the long term is therefore feasible, but it remains to be seen if either commitment will be made. While that question remains unanswered, it will be interesting to monitor how aggressively outside suitors pursue a trade and how willing New England is to listen to offers.

Patriots Eyeing OT Depth?

August 10th, 2024 at 9:51am CST by Ben Levine

With the Patriots now out of the Brandon Aiyuk sweepstakes, the team will pivot to improving other offensive positions. According to Ben Volin of the Boston Globe, the Patriots are expected to “turn their full attention” to acquiring offensive tackle depth. The organization could consider a number of different routes as they seek reinforcement, including a trade, a veteran free agent, or an inexperienced tryout player.

[RELATED: Latest On Patriots G Cole Strange’s Knee Injury]

With Trent Brown now out of the picture, the Patriots lack experience at both offensive tackle spots. At the moment, there are four clear candidates for the two starting gigs (per Doug Kyed of the Boston Herald): Chukwuma Okorafor, Vederian Lowe, Calvin Anderson, and rookie third-round pick Caedan Wallace. One team source told Kyed that Okorafor and Lowe are likely in the lead at the moment, although Anderson was recently playing with the starters while Okorafor nursed an undisclosed injury.

As Kyed notes, Jerod Mayo is hoping to have his Week 1 starters locked in before the team’s third preseason game. So, if the Patriots plan to bring in another option at the position, the acquisition will only have a couple of weeks to make a good impression.

The current free agent market includes the likes of Donovan Smith, David Bakhtiari, D.J. Humphries, and Jason Peters. If the rebuilding Patriots intended to bring in one of these veterans, they probably would have already done so. More likely, the Patriots will continue to explore the trade market for some depth, and they could also hold out for players who shake loose at the end of the preseason (although that won’t help their starting lineup uncertainty).

Whatever combination of players the Patriots settle on for their offensive line, it’s unlikely to stick throughout the entire regular season. Former first-round guard Cole Strange will eventually return from a torn patellar tendon in his left knee. Whenever Strange comes back, the Patriots could consider moving Michael Onwenu back to offensive tackle, although the recent extension recipient has exclusively played guard throughout training camp.

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