Patriots

Matthew Judon is set to enter the final year of his contract in 2024.

The Patriots have doled out several contracts to retain key cogs on their roster this offseason, including Kendrick Bourne, Christian Barmore, David Andrews, and Jahlani Tavai. 

But one domino that has yet to fall is a new contract for veteran pass rusher Matthew Judon. And with only a few more weeks before the start of training camp, it seems like all parties are far from bridging the gap on a new deal. 

According to Fox Sports Henry McKenna, Judon has asked for a new contract and the Patriots have already presented an offer to the 31-year-old Pro Bowler. However, McKenna added that the Patriots and Judon “are not currently close to agreeing to a new deal.”

Judon, entering the final year of his contract with New England, is set to command a base salary of $6.5 million this year. 

Last week, Judon expressed doubt on X that the Patriots were going to pay up on a hefty new deal for him moving forward. 

This is not the first time that Judon and the Patriots found themselves at a contractual impasse, with Judon not taking part in mandatory workouts last offseason (but still attending in order to avoid fines) in order to get his guaranteed money bumped up from $2 million to $14 million during the 2023 campaign. 

Judon took part in New England’s mandatory minicamp last month, saying during an interview on WZLX’s “The Rich Shertenlieb Show” that he wasn’t looking to hold out again in hopes of reworking his contract. 

“I’m just trying to come out here and play football, get ready for this upcoming season, and put our defense and ourself in a position to where we can win the most games or be the most effective. So that’s what I’m really on right now,” Judon said. “I ain’t worried about holding out, sitting out … Because last year, that stuff was trash. I ain’t really like that. Like I’m a football player, I don’t want to get into the agency side. So I’m gonna come out here and play some football.” 

Judon was a force during his first two seasons in New England, recording 28.0 sacks and serving as a dynamic playmaker and veteran leader up front. However, he only played in four games in 2023 before his season ended due to a torn bicep. 

Given that Judon is coming off of major injury — coupled with the fact that he’s set to turn 32 next month — the Patriots might be hesitant about handing him another high-priced contract for 2025 and beyond.