Matthew Judon Updates Contract Status: Ending Career With Patriots?

Despite the New England Patriots beginning a rebuild this offseason, the 31-year-old Matthew Judon doesn't seem intent on leaving for another team.

Sep 24, 2023; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Jets quarterback Zach Wilson (2) is sacked / Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

While free agency didn’t consist of a blockbuster signing that many fans hoped the New England Patriots would make this offseason, they didn’t just sit back and watch. Instead, the Patriots made some additions to the roster, even though they may not have been major names while keeping their own. 

And while free agency is seemingly in the rearview mirror for the Patriots, as their attention is turning toward the NFL Draft, that doesn’t mean they aren’t working ahead to extend the contracts of players who could hit the open market next offseason. 

One of those potential players is star edge rusher Matthew Judon, who, despite being 31 years old on a team that looks to be in the beginning stages of a rebuild, has made it clear where his heart is. 

“I think with the contract stuff, if it happens it happens,” Judon said in a recent interview with WEEI. “If we can get a new contract worked out to where I try to end my career in Boston, that’d be great.”

Sep 24, 2023; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Jets quarterback Zach Wilson (2) is sacked / Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

After starting his career with the Baltimore Ravens, the former Grand Valley State product has continued to prove himself as one of the league’s top pass-rushers. Since signing the four-year, $56 million contract back in 2021, Judon has compiled 133 tackles, 33 for a loss, 32 sacks, and 62 quarterback hits. 

The 31-year-old has been selected to the Pro Bowl in two of his three seasons in Foxboro so far, with this past season being the only time he wasn’t voted in. However, that wasn’t because of a down year from Judon. While the stat sheet shows he totaled just 13 tackles and four sacks, it was due to a season-ending biceps injury that cut his eighth year in the league to just four games. 

However, even with the potential concern of how Judon will bounce back from the season-ending injury at 31 years old, the Patriots share a mutual interest in getting a contract extension done.

“Look, there’s no question that we want a guy like Judon, …” Patriots coach Jerod Mayo said during last week’s NFL annual meeting. “But those conversations have started. We know that he’s still a premier rusher in this league, but as we continue to go forward, we want him to be a piece of the puzzle.”