Patriots BREAKING: Matthew Judon Signs New Contract with Guarantees
FOXBORO — New England Patriots linebacker Matthew Judon is heading into the 2023 NFL season with a newfound financial windfall.
As first reported by ESPN, Judon and the Patriots have reached agreement on a contract adjustment that will take his original $2 million of guaranteed money for 2023 to $14 million fully guaranteed in 2023. The adjustment reportedly improved Judon’s original 2021 deal and will allow him to make up to $18M this year. The report also indicated that no new years were added to the contract.
The four-time Pro-Bowler had been limited in his participation for training camp practices. In fact, initial reports linked the star linebacker’s reduced workload to a desire for a new contract.
Still, in spite of his the slow start — as well as the fact that he has outplayed the value of his four-year, $54 million contract he signed with the Pats in 2021 — Judon assured Patriots Nation that his practice status is related to fitness, not finance.
“We're just working — me, and the training staff, and the coaches — to when I do practice I’m at a good pace,” Judon said last week while speaking with reporters. “I can move fast the whole practice. It’s more working on my condition, working on running.
“I’m making sure I am where I need to be … Then we can ease into things. I’m in my eighth year. I think y’all know what I do on Sundays,” Judon added with a grin.
Now, Judon will be wowing Patriots fans on Sundays with a swanky new financial deal.
Since his arrival in Foxboro during the 2021 offseason, Judon has routinely proven that he possesses the versatility and adaptability to have earned the spot as the team’s number one player on the edge. The 30-year-old’s on-field awareness puts him in position to keep runs from reaching the corner on early downs, as well as providing speed and strength when rushing the quarterback. In his first year with the Pats, Judon amassed 60 tackles, one fumble recovery and 12.5 sacks. He eclipsed those totals in 2022 — e a career-high 15.5 sacks, two forced fumbles (recovering one), while once again logging 60 total tackles.
However, as impressive as he has been as an individual defender, Judon has also proven to be a significant facilitator for his teammates. In 2021, he was quite effective when reading opposing coverages, particularly the offensive line coverage of the aforementioned Barmore. By positioning himself close to Barmore [thus enabling him to draw the attention of opposing blockers,] Judon was often left one-on-one on the edge to make life uncomfortable for opposing quarterbacks. Last season, Judon himself played the decoy for linebacker Josh Uche, who set a career-high in sacks with 11.5. Together, the pair formed one of the top pass-rushing tandems in the NFL.
With 2023 fast approaching, Judon will again be called upon to play a crucial role on New England’s defense. Should he continue to build upon a stellar resume, Judon is likely to be the most fearsome defender within the Patriots' defensive front.
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