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.

Matt Judon did not take part in New England’s training camp practices last Monday, and he was away from the team the following day. Conversations with the team’s top decision-makers has followed, but the veteran edge rusher does not appear to be any closer to a contract resolution.

Judon has taken part in each of the past four practices while he continues to seek out a new contract. One year remains on the four-time Pro Bowler’s current pact, and he is due $7.5MM in total compensation. That falls well short of the value of edge rushers with the production Judon has provided in New England (32 sacks in 33 games). His biceps injury limited him to four contests in 2023, though, something which has hurt his leverage in contract talks.

“We have a market, it’s set by the highest [paid] guy, then everybody falls in line until the next person is up to break that contract,” the soon-to-be 32-year-old said when addressing his situation publicly on Monday (via ESPN’s Mike Reiss). “Coming from the season I had, I was injured mostly all season, so that’s not really where my market is. But like I said, I don’t think it’s $6.5 [million, his scheduled base salary].”

New England’s front office is now led by Eliot Wolf, and his first offseason at the helm has been defined by a long list of players receiving new deals and extensions. Christian Barmore, Kyle Dugger, Jabrill Peppers and, most recently, Davon Godchaux are among the defenders to land a Patriots contract this offseason. Judon is believed to have received at least one offer from the team on a restructure or extension, though he has denied that.

The former fifth-rounder did not speak about his social media remarks during his Monday availability, nor did he go into detail about where things currently stand on the contract front. Judon will continue taking part in practices to avoid fines, and he has expressed a willingness to play out the final season of his pact as currently constructed after last year’s holdout. He made it clear, however, that a deal allowing him to continue in New England remains the target, pending how the team’s front office proceeds.

“Like I told you all before, I would pay myself and we’d never talk about it,” he said. “But it’s not up to me. I told you all I wanted to stay here the rest of my career.”

AUGUST 4: Judon continues to participate in practice after his brief holdout, as Reiss observes. Multiple sources tell Reiss that the situation has “simmered” but is still unresolved since Judon’s contract has not yet been adjusted.

AUGUST 1: The Patriots ended one contract dispute yesterday by reaching an extension agreement with defensive tackle Davon Godchaux. The future of edge rusher Matt Judon remains a key talking point, however.

The latter did not participate in Monday’s padded practice, the first one of training camp. Judon was then absent altogether from Tuesday’s practice with communication ongoing between he and Patriots decision-makers. Wednesday was an off day for New England, and it allowed for head coach Jerod Mayo to have what he described as a “great meeting” with the four-time Pro Bowler.

“I have a great relationship with Matthew,” Mayo said (via ESPN’s Mike Reiss). “I have a great relationship with the players. We’re moving forward… I always encourage those guys to come in and speak with me, or speak with [de facto general manager] Eliot [Wolf]. That’s what it is and those things should happen inside those walls.”

One year remains on Judon’s deal, and he is due $7.5MM in 2024. That figure includes a $6.5MM base salary which will not become guaranteed until just before Week 1. The 31-year-old joined Godchaux in expressing frustration with how numerous other in-house players received deals this offseason, the first of the Wolf-Mayo regime. Judon has reportedly received offers for a revised contract – not unlike the added incentives which temporarily ended his 2023 holdout – though he has publicly denied that.

In any case, the former fifth-rounder is taking part in Thursday’s practice, Doug Kyed of the Boston Herald notes. That is an encouraging sign in this situation, although until a restructure or extension is worked out questions will continue to linger over Judon’s short- and long-term future with the organization. Having amassed 32 sacks in 33 Patriots games, he is positioned to remain a key member of the team’s front seven for at least one more year.

The Grand Valley State product was limited to just four games last season due to a biceps tear, however. His age and injury represent factors which could lead Wolf and Co. to hesitate with respect to giving out a long-term deal or, perhaps, even a one-year bump in pay. After a number of updates earlier in the week suggesting tensions had boiled over in this situation, though, a positive development appears to have taken place.

1:47pm: Pushing back on these reports, Judon has denied (via his X account) the Patriots have extended him an offer. While this could boil down to the difference between a 2024-only adjustment and a true extension, Judon remains at odds with the team ahead of his fourth season in New England.

12:19pm: Matt Judon‘s Patriots situation has shifted considerably since training camp began. Not going through with a full-on hold-in at camp’s outset, the team’s top edge rusher moved in that direction and then missed Tuesday’s practice.

This process has included an on-field conversation with Eliot Wolf and fellow exec Matt Groh. Judon indeed missed Tuesday’s Patriots practice because he seeks a contract update, according to The Athletic’s Dianni Russini. The Patriots have since made an offer, potentially helping smooth things over with one of the few key players the team has not paid this offseason.

The Pats offered “a few” revised contracts before training camp, Russini adds. It would appear the team has not yet proposed a lucrative extension, making Judon an outlier this year. Russini notes the offers would have reworked Judon’s deal.

The former free agent signee has admitted to being envious as the Pats have swerved toward paying their own lucrative contracts under Wolf. The team has retained Christian Barmore, Michael Onwenu, Kyle Dugger, Rhamondre Stevenson and Hunter Henry on pricey contracts. They also paid Jabrill Peppers this week. This run of big-ticket deals veers from the Bill Belichick path, and the moves have prompted some who have not been paid — namely Judon and Davon Godchaux — to take action. Godchaux, who joins Judon in a contract year, is staging a partial hold-in.

Belichick resolved the Judon matter with a reworking last summer. The Pats gave the former Ravens OLB draftee a $3MM pay bump and an incentive package, though the biceps injury Judon sustained early last season prevented him from triggering any of those escalators. Set to turn 32 next month and coming off a major injury, Judon is not in a great place to negotiate a notable extension. While he has been productive for the Patriots when on the field, it would be understandable if a rearranged front office would have doubts about paying an older rusher market value coming off an abbreviated season.

Judon, who did not join Godchaux in sitting out minicamp, saw that $3MM transferred from his 2024 salary to 2023. The Pats guaranteed him $14MM as part of their two-year, $22.5MM revision. He has seen the market change a bit since his four-year, $54MM free agency accord was finalized. That 2021 offseason was not an optimal time to hit the market, as the salary cap plummeted due to COVID-19 restricting 2020 attendance. Judon was among the Patriots’ many signings, as Belichick zagged due to the unusual market. The $13.6MM AAV on that 2021 contract would now rank 21st among edge defenders.

The ninth-year vet’s options are, of course, limited and withholding services represents about the only leverage he holds. The Pats, who saw Judon rip off 12.5- and 15.5-sack seasons in 2021 and 2022, do not have a comparable edge solution without Judon. The team re-signed Josh Uche after a 2023 regression and have 2023 second-rounder Keion White (one rookie-year sack) in the fold. But Barmore (8.5 sacks last season) is the only Patriot who topped five sacks in 2023. And he is currently dealing with a blood clot issue.

Judon has done well for himself as a Division II product chosen in the 2016 fifth round. The Ravens franchise-tagged him in 2020, and he has earned plenty from the Patriots. But for the Grand Valley State alum’s production level — particularly his New England work — he is underpaid. After the Patriots paid numerous starters, how they resolve the Judon matter is suddenly a pressing issue.

JULY 30: After not taking part in Monday’s practice, Judon is absent altogether from New England’s Tuesday session, ESPN’s Mike Reiss notes. It will be interesting to see if his recent conversations with the organization’s decision-makers, coupled with his hold-in effort, produces traction on the negotiation front. In the meantime, it will be surprising if Judon suits up for practices in at least the immediate future.

JULY 29: Matt Judon is still attached to an expiring contract, and the veteran pass rusher isn’t practicing with the Patriots as he pushes for a revised deal. Judon didn’t participate during New England’s first padded practice today, and Karen Guregian writes that the sack artist appears to be in the midst “of a hold-in.”

[RELATED: Latest On Patriots’ Plans With Matt Judon]

That apparent tactic was also accompanied by some theatrics. Guregian passes along a scene from Monday’s practice when Judon and head coach Jerod Mayo “had a lengthy conversation.” The player eventually left the practice field (“by the looks of it, with Mayo’s prompting,” per Guregian), before returning a short time later. This time, Judon was talking with executive VP of player personnel Eliot Wolf and director of player personnel Matt Groh, and the player’s conversation was much more animated.

It’s not too hard to surmise what Judon was discussing with team brass. NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo notes that the pass rusher’s patience appears to have “worn thin,” while ESPN’s Mike Reiss writes that the sideline conversations “came close to overshadowing the action on the field.”

This is a sudden turn from Judon. While the player has been very public about his desire for a revamped contract, the talks haven’t seemed to be all that contentious. Judon followed a similar path last year, refusing to fully participate in training camp until his contract was adjusted. However, with Bill Belichick no longer running the show, it’s uncertain if Judon’s hold-in will once again be successful. Interestingly, Judon previously stated during a radio appearance that he didn’t want to be a vocal distraction during training camp.

“You kind of keep throwing tantrums, tantrums, tantrums — and then you don’t come out there and do what you’re supposed to do — it kind of gets old real fast. I ain’t really trying to do that,” Judon said (via Reiss). “I ain’t worried about holding out, sitting out, or sitting in, kind of protesting. I’m just going to come out here and kind of play, because last year, that stuff was trash. I ain’t really like that.”

For what it’s worth, Judon has said he would play on his current contract but would prefer not to. The veteran is set to earn $7.5MM in the final season of his deal, and while most pundits assume the Patriots are reluctant to offer a long-term extension, there’s some belief that the sides could compromise on a 2024 pay raise. A report earlier this month indicated the Patriots and Judon were not close on a new deal.

Matt Judon‘s contract situation remains one worth watching closely. The Patriots edge rusher is set to enter the final year of his current deal, and mixed signals have been sent recently with respect to whether or not an extension will be worked out in the near future.

Judon himself does not foresee a long-term deal coming to fruition, though time still remains to negotiate a resolution before the start of the year. The Patriots have made at least one offer to the four-time Pro Bowler, but the parties have ground to make up if an agreement is to be reached in the coming weeks. The latest reporting on the matter adds further uncertainty to Judon’s future in New England.

Greg Bedard of the Boston Sports Journal stated on his Greg Bedard Patriots Podcast that Judon will not play for the Patriots in 2024 on his current deal (video link). He added that a trade sending him to a new team could be a possibility in the event New England could not resolve the matter with a contract extension or an incentive-laden adjustment. Judon engaged in a training camp holdout last summer prior to a resolution being reached, and he has said such a move will not be repeated in 2024.

The 31-year-old responded to Bedard’s report on social media by confirming he has not personally informed the team of any planned holdout or a refusal play on his current terms. Judon is set to receive $7.5MM in compensation this season while carrying a $14.68MM cap hit. With 32 sacks in 33 Patriots games, a case could certainly be made for a lucrative re-up, and a multi-year extension could lower his 2024 cap charge (although New England is not in need of added flexibility in that respect).

Judon’s value is, of course, clouded by the biceps injury he suffered early in the 2023 campaign. The ailment limited him to four games and hurt his bargaining power this offseason. A report from two weeks ago nevertheless indicated a deal could be reached soon, but the latest developments on the Judon front suggest considerable progress will need to be made for an agreement of any kind to be reached ahead of training camp.

On that note, ESPN’s Mike Reiss writes New England hopes to have all contract matters resolved by the team’s first camp practice (July 24). Judon – along with players such as defensive lineman Davon Godchaux – will therefore be among the ones to watch over the coming days. Eliot Wolf has authorized several deals keeping in-house players in the fold for the Patriots during his first offseason at the helm, and it will be interesting to see if the likes of Judon and Godchaux see their respective situations clarified in the near future.

Uncertainty remains with respect to Matt Judon‘s financial future. The Patriots edge rusher has been floated as one of the next players around the league to receive a lucrative new deal, but plenty of progress between team and player may need to be made for that to be possible.

Judon himself recently hinted on social media that he does not expect to land an extension from New England. The team has prioritized retaining a number of other in-house players this offseason, and keeping the 31-year-old in the fold on a multi-year agreement could create cap issues down the road. The Patriots have nevertheless submitted an offer, Henry McKenna of Fox Sports reports.

That move came amidst a request on Judon’s part for a new deal, McKenna adds. The four-time Pro Bowler missed time during training camp last summer while angling for a raise, but he stated earlier this offseason that a repeat of that approach would not be taking place. The sides discussed a contract during the spring, though Judon’s value is not as high now as it previously was.

The former fifth-rounder racked up 28 sacks across his first two New England campaigns, establishing himself as one of the team’s most important players. Judon was limited to four contests in 2023, however, and his missed time through injury has no doubt hurt his bargaining power. One year remains on his current contract, and he is due a non-guaranteed base salary of $6.5MM in 2024. Judon’s cap hit is $14.68MM, and working out an extension could lower that figure while adding to his up front earnings.

As McKenna notes, however, the sides are not close to an agreement at this time. The Patriots currently have a league-leading $44MM in cap space along with considerable flexibility for next year. A second Judon investment could be feasible as a result, but it will be interesting to see if Eliot Wolf and Co. wait until the start of the campaign to consider meeting his asking price. A healthy and productive start to the season could shift leverage back in favor of the Grand Valley State alum.

In terms of annual average value, Judon’s current contract ranks 27th in the league amongst edge rushers. An extension taking him near the top of the market should not be expected, but a short-term accord in particular could pave the way for a raise and an agreement keeping him in New England beyond 2024. With training camp not far away, this situation will be worth watching closely.