The latest report on the lead-up to the split between linebacker Matthew Judon and the New England Patriots doesn’t paint a pretty picture.
NFL insider Albert Breer shared some insight on the situation on NBC Sports Boston on Friday. According to Judon, the split was mostly due to the two sides never sitting down and having a face-to-face conversation about a contract extension.
However, Breer explained that things went deeper than just numbers on paper.
“Judon was not as well-liked by the coaches and front office people as you might have thought,” said Breer. “And that was really part of it in the end that they were just sick of him. They felt like there was a public face of Judon, and there was Judon behind the scenes.
“Judon behind the scenes has sort of become a little bit of an operator, and his act had worn thin with people inside the building. It’s something that was an issue in Baltimore, too. So it’s not saying he’s a bad guy, but there was some of this sort of cheerleader stuff on social media that a lot of people in the organization would roll their eyes at.”
"There was a little bit more to the Judon trade than just the contract situation." @AlbertBreer gives insight into the Matthew Judon trade, and why in the end the Patriots were 'just sick of him.' pic.twitter.com/UBX1BAA0eI
— NBC Sports Boston (@NBCSBoston) August 23, 2024
Regardless of how things ended, it’s disappointing that the two sides weren’t able to come together and fix things.
Perhaps the situation worked out for the best in the end. Judon got traded to the Atlanta Falcons, and the Patriots got a 2025 third-round draft pick to use in their ongoing rebuild.
It really is a win-win for both sides.