Matthew Judon apparently isn’t too happy about his trade to the Falcons.
Just weeks before the start of the 2024 NFL season, both teams announced the deal on Thursday, with the star pass rusher posting emotional statements on social media after leaving the Patriots for Atlanta.
“Has anyone failed a medical exam because of a broken heart? – Rod Wave” Judon wrote in X’s post:.
The Patriots are expected to receive a third-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft in exchange for Judon, according to multiple reports.
According to ESPN, the four-time Pro Bowl selection and the Falcons plan to work on a contract extension before the team’s start of the season.
Judon is set to play in the final year of a four-year contract he signed with New England in 2020 and earn a base salary of $6.5 million.
The trade came after weeks of contract extension drama between Judon and the Patriots.
The 32-year-old had reportedly been seeking a long-term contract extension from New England all summer, but the team only offered him a one-year deal, causing relations between the two sides to sour.
“I don’t want to be the bad guy. I don’t want to be the bad guy,” Judon said on the Shut Up Mark Podcast in July, “but I’m like, help me out. We have the most caps. [space] “There’s no players in the league right now. They’re not even getting paid. What the hell are they doing? They’re literally just not spending it.”
Judon’s frustration spilled over to the practice field on July 29, when he got into an argument with new head coach Jerrod Mayo, walked out of practice and missed the next day’s practice.
He joins a Falcons defense that is expected to look much different this season with the addition of defensive coordinator Jimmy Lake and former Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris as head coach.
The Falcons signed defensive back Justin Simmons to a one-year, $8 million contract on Thursday. From NFL Network.
Judon played in just four games last season after suffering a torn biceps in Week 4, but was one of the NFL’s best defensive players in 2022, earning a Pro Bowl selection with 15.5 sacks, three pass deflections and 60 tackles.
