Patriots Get Major Update on Matthew Judon Potential Holdout

The New England Patriots have spent the 2024 offseason mostly re-signing their core players instead of bringing in big outside additions. While most of these deals seemed to come about stress-free, the same currently isn't the case with stud pass-rusher Matthew Judon, who's put some pressure on the team in recent days to show him the money.

With Judon sitting out OTAs, worries regarding a potential holdout have popped up. Now, an update on the situation has emerged.

Judeon seemed to clear up any concerns by stating "hell yeah" when asked if he'd be in attendance at New England's upcoming minicamp. That session is mandatory, unlike OTAs, but he could still send a message if he didn't show up. That'd come with likely fines, however, and Judon said “I ain't giving no money away."

This is great news for the Pats, who'd probably love to keep Judon around for several more years. However, his major biceps injury that cost him most of the 2023 campaign complicates things, as he's now heading into his age-32 season following a massive absence.

With a whopping 28.0 sacks over his first two years in New England, it's obvious this is the perfect system for the EDGE to thrive in. That production warrants an uptick in pay given the premium pass-rushers command in the current NFL.

Surely the Patriots and Judon both know that, but there's age and now injury concerns to factor in that could lead to some distance in contract talks.

It ultimately remains to be seen how these two sides move forward. Judon's in the final year of his current contract, and with his stock at its lowest it's been since his pre-New England days, this is the perfect time to lock Judon into another multi-year pact. Yet, the veteran might not want to settle now in favor of earning more on the open market next offseason if he pops off in 2024.

A nice, but not extereme, amount of guaranteed money could lead to both sides running it back. That'd provide Judon with a nice pay day to close his career, and the Pats wouldn't have to break the bank to retain a key defender.

This situation is one to watch throughout this offseason as New England contemplates Judon's future.

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