The Baltimore Ravens placed the franchise tag on outside linebacker Matthew Judon this offseason. While other players have balked at the one-year deal, Judon said he’s “blessed” to play under the franchise tag.
“I’m blessed to have to play under this tag,” Judon said in a video call with reporters Monday. “I get to play this game, and as long as I continue to play this game, I’m going to feel blessed. If I have to play under the tag, that’s good for me, because it’s another year.”
Though Judon has signed the franchise tag deal already, he did note there’s still about a month remaining to get a long-term contract figured out. The Ravens and Judon have until July 15 at 4:00 p.m. ET to work out a long-term extension or they’ll be locked into the $16.808 million salary-cap hit they compromised on for 2020.
While many of the questions focused on Judon’s contract status, he made it a point to say he isn’t really in the know. Judon said the talks have been between his agent and the team, with him finding out information well after the fact. Judon even joked that media members know more about his contract status than he does.
“I don’t think you all understand how it goes. I really didn’t know how contracts go, but they don’t really, too much, talk to me. People are like, ‘Judon asked him for this amount [of] money.’ I’ll find out when you all find out, because they aren’t talking to me that much.
“I really wish I had more insight into the contract talks, but it’s like I get third-hand information from my agents,” Judon continued. “I don’t know if that’s how everybody does it – if everybody sits on calls and stuff – but I trust my agents. So, I don’t really know. I feel like you would have more insight on that, because you all know stuff before I know stuff – for real.”
Judon reiterated he’s “happy to be a Raven” and wants to “stay here for as long as I play.” But he also acknowledged the business side of the sport and specifically said he understands the team has a bunch of young players in need of contract extensions.
While he ultimately didn’t provide much more insight into the contract talks, Judon seemed at peace with where things stand right now.
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