As we learned shortly after the Patriots agreed to trade contract-year edge defender Matt Judon to the Falcons last month, both Atlanta and the Bears offered New England a third-round draft choice in exchange for Judon. At that point, Judon was given the choice of which team he wanted to play for, and he chose the Falcons.
According to Albert Breer of SI.com, Judon was intrigued by the possibility of playing for Chicago, and he and the club did engage in preliminary contract talks. However, in the player’s view, the commitments that the Bears already have on the books for 2025 made it likely that he would only be with the team for the upcoming season.
While Judon indicated that he would not seek an immediate extension from Atlanta as he did from New England – saying that “the Falcons know nothing about me as a football player or as a man” – he can at least foresee a multiyear stay with the Falcons. Interestingly, as OverTheCap.com indicates, the Bears actually are projected to have the eighth-most cap room in the league in 2025, while the Falcons have the sixth-least.
On the other hand, Chicago is already tethered to a contract for a high-end edge rusher (Montez Sweat), whereas Atlanta has no such deal on its books. Speculatively speaking, perhaps the Sweat contract – along with the convincing sales pitch that Breer says Falcons head coach Raheem Morris gave to Judon about his role in the team’s defense – is what tipped the scales in Atlanta’s favor.
Even though New England extended Judon the courtesy of choosing between the two teams that extended acceptable trade proposals, Breer said on a recent appearance on 98.5 The Sports Hub that the Patriots’ coaches and front office personnel “were just sick of” Judon (video link). The lack of a resolution to Judon’s contract situation – the four-time Pro Bowler was, of course, pushing for a new deal when he was still a member of the Pats – certainly played a significant role in his departure, but Breer notes that the rift went beyond finances.
Patriots staffers, per Breer, believed there was the “public-facing Judon” and the “Judon behind the scenes,” and that the latter version of the player was something of an “operator” whose “act had worn thin.” Breer said those same traits were on display during Judon’s stint with the Ravens, and that the new Pats regime – which of course has extended a number of Bill Belichick-era acquisitions this offseason – was more than willing to move on.
As Judon attempts to return to form in a platform campaign for his new club, Oshane Ximines appears to have benefitted the most from his departure. A former third-round pick of the Giants, Ximines never truly established himself with New York, and he signed with the Patriots via the veteran salary benefit this offseason. As Mike Reiss of ESPN.com notes, Ximines was viewed as a bubble player when training camp began, but the Judon trade opened up a roster spot.
Outside linebackers coach Drew Wilkins, who served in the same capacity with the Giants over the last two seasons, said, “[Ximines] has been great. ame in here, learned the playbook quickly, humble approach to everything — a guy that wants to play the run, set the edge and do the dirty work. He fits right in this defense.”
It seems like from the tone of this article, the Bears may have avoided a future headache.
Just seems strange that he would engage in contract extension talks with the Bears yet, won’t seek an immediate one with the Falcons. I also think that if Poles gave up a 3rd and didn’t resign him, people would lose their minds.
Which is exactly Atlanta’s problem now
I wouldn’t have lost my mind if they gave up a 3rd and didn’t re sign him. They still have 2 2nd’s and a 1st so it just would have forced them into buying a FA for something else. What would have made people lose their minds is if they gave up a 3rd and he sucked like Claypool did. And Ngaouke. Every GM has misses. Poles has way more hits than misses. Like they said the Bears have a ton of money coming off the books because Poles has set it up nicely. Next year they will have more money, Less needs, And way more draft choices than this year. Really OL and Edge seem to be the most likely to draft depending on how Booker and Taylor work out. Walker is probably not coming back Or Allen and that opens up 30 million just between those 2 guys alone.
You can bet Nate Davis won’t be back either. That’ll be another 8-10 mill saved.
You have to love the consistency of the Patriot smear campaign once they have seen a player or coach leave the organization. From the sham of a documentary to bashing any player who has left they are remarkably consistent.
They are also very consistent is underpaying player and having second rate services for players. Bob Kraft is a terrible person and a complete huckster. Karma would be next time he gets a tug job there is sand in the Vaseline.
LOL
Something to consider.
Kraft could always use peanut butter as a Vaseline substitute.