NFL Rumors: Matthew Judon, Falcons Not Close on New Contract After Patriots Trade

The Atlanta Falcons and outside linebacker Matthew Judon are not close to agreeing on a new contract following his trade from the New England Patriots, CBS Sports' Jonathan Jones reported.

Jones wrote that Judon "will come to Atlanta without a new contract in hand, sources say, and there's not an expectation one is imminent."

Accepting a trade without a new deal in place indicates "a great deal of trust" between Judon and the Falcons, Jones noted.

Judon is currently set to play for the Falcons on an expiring contract. He will count $6.7 million against the cap in 2024, per Spotrac.

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Although the Falcons' new agreement with Judon may not be "imminent," the team will have more room to adjust his deal after restructuring the contract of guard Chris Lindstrom.

The Falcons are converting part of Lindstrom's $12.5 million base salary to become a signing bonus, per ESPN's Jeremy Fowler.

That could help the team get back under the cap after the trade for Judon sent them over. The Falcons could consider restructuring the contract for safety Jessie Bates next, as noted by FOX Sports' Greg Auman.

The Falcons announced Thursday morning that they had acquired Judon in exchange for a third-round pick in the 2025 NFL draft.

Judon repeatedly expressed his desire to adjust his contract with the Patriots throughout the offseason, a dispute that impacted Judon's participation in training camp as for the second consecutive season he appeared to be undergoing a hold-in for a new deal.

His hold-in before the 2023 season resulted in him receiving an increase in guaranteed money from $2 million to $14 million.

This time, Judon was unable to work out a contract adjustment with the Patriots. Less than two weeks after he told reporters he wanted to stay in New England "for the remainder of my career," Judon headed to Atlanta.

There he will join a defense headlined by veterans like Grady Jarrett, A.J. Terrell and Bates. With that group on defense and newly-acquired quarterback Kirk Cousins, the Falcons could enter the 2024 season as dark-horse Super Bowl contenders.

Only time will tell if that will be enough motivation for Judon to play out the 2024 season on his previously-contested contract, or if the linebacker's negotiations will continue in Atlanta.

Judon played just four games during the 2023 season due to a shoulder injury. He had four sacks over that span, and totaled 32 sacks through three seasons and 38 games with the Patriots, so the Falcons will hope he can bounce back to Pro Bowl form during his age-32 season.