The Patriots parted ways with Matthew Judon after contract negotiations stalled between the organization and the star edge rusher.
Yet just a week after Judon's trade to the Falcons, the 32-year-old isn't worried about the final year of his deal. Instead, he's happy to play on the contract with Atlanta.
Judon, who wanted an extension with New England, told NBC Boston that the deal never came to fruition because there was never a sit-down conversation.
"It was just always through text message or phone calls," Judon said.
"We never sat down and came to the table... it was just always through text message or phone calls."
— NBC Sports Boston (@NBCSBoston) August 19, 2024
Matthew Judon reveals 'biggest disconnect' between himself and the Patriots pic.twitter.com/vmwiRhrybr
The edge rusher will become a free agent after the 2024 NFL season, and he isn't pressing Atlanta to get a deal done now.
Here's what Judon told reporters about his contract situation Monday.
MORE: What did the Patriots get in the Matthew Judon trade?
What did Matthew Judon say about Falcons?
Judon hasn't signed a contract extension with the Falcons, but he isn't worried about that right now.
That's a change of pace, considering Judon was adamant about inking a new deal in New England before the organization traded him to Atlanta. Now, he's fine playing out his final year of his contract.
"The Atlanta Falcons don't know me as a football player," Judon said. "They know my history. So, I can't demand something I haven't worked for."
Judon is on the last year of a four-year, $54.5 million deal. He's earned Pro Bowl nods in every year since 2019 except 2023 when he played just four games. The edge rusher has established himself as one of the best at his position.
Still, he wants to prove to the Falcons that he deserves a new deal rather than basing his game off previous seasons.
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Matthew Judon contract details
Judon is in the final year of a four-year, $54.5 million contract. He signed this deal with Patriots in 2021 after spending his first five seasons in Baltimore.
The deal has an average annual value of $13.6 million, but Judon's base salary is about half of that. The edge rusher is making just $6.5 million in 2024, which is a cheap price considering his talent.
He's primed for another Pro Bowl season at age 32, which could set the bar higher for his next contract. He'll be a free agent after the 2024 season.